By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa, Nigerian Tracker

The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results have once again stirred widespread concern across the country. As the performance statistics trend on media platforms, the figures paint a worrying picture of Nigeria’s education sector and its implications for the country’s future leaders.

Away from tertiary students, those who have completed their secondary education and are seeking admission into higher institutions must sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination. However, the performance of this group has been declining steadily, particularly since 2015.

Only a small number of students typically perform excellently. A review of past data reveals a consistent increase in the number of students scoring below 200. According to EduCeleb, 95% and 84% of candidates in 2016 and 2017 respectively scored below 200. *Punch* newspaper also reported that in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, the percentages of candidates who scored below 200 were 74%, 77%, 79%, 87%, 77%, and 76%, respectively.

In 2024, Premium Times revealed that 76% of candidates scored below 200, while in 2025, the JAMB board itself reported that 78% fell below the 200 mark. While the fluctuations appear marginal, the consistent dominance of low scores is alarming.

This situation raises critical questions: What is the root cause of this persistent failure? Who should be held accountable—the students or the examination board?

Several studies suggest that while students must take a major share of the responsibility, the JAMB board is not without blame. In an interview with *Nigerian Tracker*, respected educationist Mr. Oluwamuyiwa Aladeyelu, founder of CIMET JUKU—a platform promoting quality education in Ekiti State—shared insightful perspectives.

“More people scored 300 and above in this year’s UTME. However, as much as 78% still scored below 200, which is bad. I must confess that our students don’t read,” Mr. Oluwamuyiwa remarked.

When asked what might be contributing to the poor outcomes, he added:
“The blame does not lie entirely with the students. JAMB should also take part of the responsibility. The exam is not without glitches. Many Biology questions were incomplete, and some diagram-based questions failed to display properly.”

He further cited a discrepancy in the English Language section, noting, “The section was supposed to have 60 questions, but only had 55. Who should be held accountable for that?”

Mr. Oluwamuyiwa emphasized that JAMB has yet to properly address these concerns. “They must be held accountable. We cannot keep placing all the blame on students while absolving JAMB of responsibility. They can—and should—do better.”

Interestingly, JAMB appeared to acknowledge some of these issues via a response on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle regarding reported glitches during the exam held on Saturday, April 26, 2025. However, no follow-up communication has confirmed whether those issues persisted in subsequent sessions.

To probe the matter further, another educationist, Dr. Usman Isyaku, raised several probing questions: “Low JAMB scores—whose fault? Lazy students? Poorly trained teachers? Poor remuneration for teachers? A sign of disinterest in traditional education or work-retirement systems? We need a holistic analysis.”

In response, Mr. Oluwamuyiwa stated:
“Some schools consistently perform well due to highly qualified teachers, strong family backgrounds, and boarding environments that reduce social media distractions.”

He also pointed out that the normalization of exam malpractice from an early age discourages serious study, adding that competitive salaries attract qualified teachers. “Top schools do well because they are adequately staffed and teachers are well-paid,” he explained.

He offered this solution:
“It’s a tripod system—parents, teachers, and students must work together. The government and stakeholders should also encourage schools to conduct internal exams ahead of external ones. If students are familiar with exam systems, performance will improve.”

In addition, computer literacy remains a major challenge. Many students lack the digital skills to navigate the CBT (computer-based test) system, causing them to lose valuable time during the exams. Providing free or subsidized training can bridge this gap, especially for students who cannot afford private computer training centers.

Moreover, technical glitches must be addressed decisively by JAMB to prevent recurring issues that impact exam integrity and student performance.

In conclusion, Nigerian students must take responsibility for their learning, but JAMB and the broader education system must also rise to the occasion. Without a united effort to address these systemic issues, the nation risks undermining the academic future of its youth—and the quality of its future leadership.

The Kano Central Senatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023 election, Abdulkarim Abdulsalam Zaura has appealed to Muslims’ clerics to preach against rising level of drug abuse, thuggery and criminalities in Kano.

Addressing the Ulamas, on Saturday in Kano, the founder of AA Zaura foundation, highlighted the role of Islamic scholars in the society thereby, sought their support in the areas of counselling.

Zaura who recently met with leaders of rival political thugs, hunters and vigilants groups to end needless attacks, criminalities, expressed commitment to offering opportunities for rehabilitation of drug abusers in Kano.

He explained that as agent of social consciousness and guidance, religious leaders are being engaged to support the foundation to instil renewed moral behavior in the youth.

” In continuation of this project and campaign against drug abuse, political thuggery, and criminalities in Kano, we believed the Ulamas have a very important role to play in tackling this issue. They are the voice of the people, they are the voice of God, and they have many different ways of counselling people.

“Don’t forget, one Ulama or one Imam can change a lot of people. So, they are part of this project, they are stakeholders in this project. We are looking for a different way to connect to the people. We need them understand the project and mission. We had critical discussion and they agreed to work out possible ways to end thuggery and drug abuse in Kano.

Zaura, who contested Kano Central Senatorial district under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) during 2023 general election stressed the mission of the foundation was to bring about meaningful growth deviod of political affiliation.

He expressed readiness to collaborate with concerned authorities including state government and security agencies to rid Kano of drug abuse and criminal tendencies.

“Of course, like I said last week. This is the type of project that I take responsibility. I am not putting any exception. The government or private entity or any person that feel like rescuing Kano is free to join us. This is not a political fight and it does not belong to Zaura alone. It is a responsibility, a big work to do and I can’t alone do istop”

” I am a politician and in my years of politics I have never encouraged people taken drugs. Politicians given thugs any form of drugs to fight their opponents should be discouraged. Some of these thugs are graduates. So why would politician will give them drugs while keeping their own children abroad.
It has to stop”. Zaura noted.

Worried by increasing incidences of societal unrest in Kano, Islamic clerics have resolved to jointly find workable solution to addressing menace of criminal tendencies in the state.

Besides, the religious leaders and other stakeholders equally appealed to concern authorities to mitigate root cause of criminalities, and enable means to transform youthful energy to productive.

In their separate positions, the Islamic scholars also cautioned government to look into rampant cases of drug abuse among married women and ladies calling for proactive measures to block access to Kano.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has urged Dangote Industries Limited to consider investing in more sectors of the State economy.

The Governor who was speaking at the ongoing Nasarawa Trade Fair Exhibition said Nasarawa is home to solid mineral resources, adding that the strategic partnership between the duo will speed up Nigeria’s industrialization project.

Representing the Governor, Hon. Muhammed Sani Otto, Nasarawa State’s Commissioner for Trade, Industry, and Investment, commended the Dangote Group for its outstanding performance at the Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited (NSCL).

He expressed confidence that, given this success, the company would be a valuable partner in exploring additional investment opportunities within the state.

In his remarks at the Dangote Special Day, Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nasarawa State Chapter, Nidan Sambo Manasseh, said the Trade Fair which was sponsored by the Dangote Group has been very impactful.

The Chairman advised Dangote Group to scale up its investments in the State by considering other sectors.

He added: “The Nasarawa Trade Fair Exhibition (NASTFE) is a vital catalyst for the State’s economic transformation. This strategic initiative by NASSI directly aligns with Governor Abdullahi Alhaji Sule’s vision to stimulate investment and unlock significant growth.”
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment Hajiya Khadija Oshafu Nuhu said the state is strategically open for business, and that Dangote Group can be part of the compelling opportunities abound in the state.

A statement from the Dangote Group’s Chief Branding and Communication Officer, Anthony Chiejina, said: “Nasarawa State is central to our overall investment in Nigeria. It is home to Dangote’s Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited (NSCL). The sugar project, when completed, will be one of the biggest sugar investments on the African continent.”

The statement quoted the Senior Special Adviser to the Dangote Group’s President, Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, as saying that: “We are not taking this partnership for granted. Our Strategic Business Units (SBUs) are participating.

According to her, some of the Strategic Business Units that are participating from the Dangote Group are: Dangote Fertilser Limited (DFL), Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited (DPAN), Dangote SinoTruck, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Salt (NASCON) and Dangote Cement Plc.