A National Disgrace: 75% JAMB UTME Failure Is Nothing but an Embarrassment Again
By Fakinlede Tope John
The result breakdown of the 2025 JAMB UTME is out, and they have left many Nigerians worried. About 75% of students who sat for the exam scored below 200 out of 400. This shows that something is seriously wrong with how students are being prepared for exams in Nigeria.
What is JAMB UTME?
JAMB UTME is a national exam that students must pass to gain admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in Nigeria. Unlike WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB, JAMB uses a computer-based testing system. This makes it harder for students to cheat, unlike the paper-based tests used in most O’Level exams.
What the 2025 Result Tells Us
Most students didn’t perform well. The large number of low scores means students are not learning properly, or they are not being taught the right way. Many of them also rely too much on malpractice and are not prepared for JAMB’s strict system.
Who Is to Blame?
1. O’Level Exams (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB):
These exams are often written in environments where cheating is easy. Some students get help during the exam and start to think all exams will be like that. So, when they sit for JAMB, they struggle.
2. Parents and Guardians:
Some parents pay invigilators to help their children cheat. This gives students false hope and encourages laziness.
3. Teachers and Schools:
Many teachers don’t complete the syllabus or teach effectively. Some even promise students they’ll help them write answers during the exam. This only misleads students.
4. Security and Invigilators:
Some of them take bribes to ignore cheating during exams, especially in internal school exams.
5. Government:
Public schools lack teachers, teaching materials, and good classrooms. Many students don’t get the learning support they need.
6. Examination Bodies:
Most internal exams are still done on paper without surveillance like CCTV. This allows room for malpractice and reduces the quality of results.
What Can Be Done to Improve Things?
Use Computer-Based Tests for WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB:
This will make it harder to cheat and improve the quality of exams.
Install CCTV Cameras in All Exam Centers:
Monitoring exams with cameras will help reduce malpractice and show what really happens during exams.
Train and Support Teachers Better:
Teachers should be trained to complete the syllabus and teach in a way students can understand.
Parents Should Do Better:
Parents need to encourage their children to study, attend tutorials, and do assignments instead of paying for shortcuts.
Follow a Proper Syllabus:
Every school should stick to the same syllabus so all students are equally prepared.
Provide Better Learning Conditions:
Government should fix school buildings, provide learning materials, and hire more teachers.
Support Students Financially:
Bursaries and scholarships can motivate students to study harder.
What Will Happen If We Make These Changes?
Exam cheating will reduce.
Students will be able to earn good grades by studying, not cheating.
More students will pass JAMB and get admitted on merit.
Nigeria will produce students who can compete globally.
Bright students will get
the chance to win scholarships and continue their education with pride.
