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Cover Story :Implications of UTME’s Massive Failure and the Future of Nigeria’s Tertiary Education System

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Professor Ishaq Oloyede JAMB Registrar

 

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.

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“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.

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Dan Agundi’s Supreme Court Case Has Nothing to Do With Kano Emir – Says Lawyer

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14th Emir Of Kano Muhammad Sunusi II

 

 

A lawyer involved in the Kano Emirate titleholder’s dispute, Bashir Muhammad Tudun Wazirci, has clarified that the case before the Supreme Court of Nigeria does not concern the removal or reinstatement of any emir, including Muhammadu Sanusi II.

 

Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Wizirci explained that the suit was filed by Aminu Babba Dan’agundi against the Kano State House of Assembly, the office of the Attorney-General and the security agencies.

 

According to him, the case does not include Aminu Ado Bayero as a party or any dispute on who is Emir, stressing, that: “In this case I am for the State Assembly, first, the case is between Aminu Babba Danagundi and the State Government and the office of the Attorney General and security agencies. In this case, there is no name of Emir Muhammad Sanusi II or former Emir Aminu Ado Bayero. It is between Aminu Babba Dan’agundi and the state government alongside security agencies”.

Dan Agundi’s lawyer Professor Yusufari SAN confirmed that “the case is between his client and the State Government” and no Emir is involved.

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Wazirci emphasized “Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi is not a party, neither is the former, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero. Dan Agundi approached the Federal High Court that has no Jurisdiction. The Court of appeal ruled that the lower Federal High Court has no jurisdiction to hear the case. Dan Agundi lost the appeal. They were not satisfied and that’s why they appealed to the Supreme Court”. He said.

 

Wazirci said the case was scheduled for hearing but was stalled following a fresh application by Dan Agundi’s lawyer who cited that they received late response from one of the security agencies as reason for delay.

 

“They claimed they received information from the DSS on the 15th of the month and needed time to respond. I objected because this is a matter that requires accelerated hearing if they are serious,” Wizirci said.

 

He, however, stated that the court upheld the appealant’s right to fair hearing and granted them time to file their processes. The matter was subsequently adjourned to April 19, 2027.

 

Meanwhile, Counsel to Aminu DanAgundi, Professor Mamman Lawal Yusufari clarified that “The suit was slated for hearing today, not for judgment as many believed. Counsel to one of the respondents filed a motion on April 14 and served us the following day”.

 

“We are entitled to respond within 14 days from the date of service. Hence, the adjournment, as the matter could not proceed,” he said.

 

Recall that Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, in May 2024, signed a law that dethroned all Emirs of Kano, Rano, Gaya and Karaye and reappointed Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano. Dissatisfied with the new law, Dan Agundi challenged it at the Federal High Court, that his removal by the law is an infringement, the Court ruled that it has jurisdiction. The State Government appealed to the Court of Appeal, which ruled that the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction. Dan Agundi then filed an appeal in the Supreme Court as confirmed by his lawyer Professor Maman Yusufari SAN.

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Governor Yusuf Nominates Murtala Garo to the Kano Assembly as Deputy Governor

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Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has transmitted the name of Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as Deputy Governor.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad.

The nomination is in line with Section 191(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the Governor to nominate a Deputy Governor where a vacancy exists.

The position became vacant following the voluntary resignation of the former Deputy Governor, Comrade Abdussalam Gwarzo, on March 27, 2026.

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Following a wide consultations with key stakeholders, the Governor has requested the Assembly to grant the necessary approval for Garo’s nomination.

48 year old Murtala Sule Garo is a season political administrator with over two decades of service in both elective and appointed positions.

He has served as State Organising Secretary of his party, Special Adviser to Kano State Governor and elected Kabo Local Government Chairman.

He also served as Chairman of ALGON Kano, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Deputy Governorship Candidate of the APC in the 2023 general elections.

His nomination is part of efforts to strengthen governance and sustain effective service delivery in Kano State.

Signed
Mustapha Muhammad
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
Kano State Government

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Insecurity: US lawmaker accuses Matawalle of bribe attempt to silence recommendation calling for his sack

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Governor Matawalle

 

Kimberly Daniels, a United States Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives for District 14, has alleged that Nigeria’s minister of state for defense, Bello Matawalle, attempted to bribe a US official to deflect the narrative of the United World Congress of Diplomats, UN-WCD, report.

The lawmaker made the claim in a viral video released on her official Facebook account on Monday.

She said Matawalle’s alleged move was to cover up the UN-WCD report on Christian genocide in Nigeria, which indicted him.

Daniels insisted that no amount of pressure can silence her stand against the killings of Christians in Nigeria.

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“A US elected official was offered money by Nigeria’s minister of state defense, Bello Matawalle, to change the narrative of the UN-WCD Christian genocide in Nigeria report,” she said in the viral video.

Recall that Daniels, who doubled as the chairperson of UN-WCD, had called for President Bola Tinubu to remove Matawalle over alleged complicity in the killings in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and other parts of Nigeria.

Matawalle is yet to officially reply the US lawmaker.

Daniels alleged that following her recent press statement on what she described as targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, she came under pressure from individuals she linked to the minister, including what she characterised as attempts to discredit her report and “buy support” from US-based elected officials.

According to her, an unnamed American lawmaker allegedly received an offer of financial inducement to publicly counter her position and defend the Nigerian defence leadership.

She claimed to have received evidence of a communication, including a prepared statement and promotional material, purportedly linked to the minister.

She also claimed that the bribery attempt is meant to divide America elected officials not knowing that they are united.

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