Mass Failure in UTME Proves System Is Working as Intended – Minister

Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, has claimed that the high number of failed students in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is a result of the government’s anti-malpractice initiatives, which are having an impact, particularly in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board system.
More than 1.5 million applicants received scores below the 200-mark cutoff point, which is frequently used by Nigerian universities for admission consideration, according to a thorough statistical report of the 2025 UTME results that was formally released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Monday.

A breakdown of the 1,955,069 results that were processed and made public on Monday shows that just 420,415 candidates received scores higher than 200.
Speaking Tuesday on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Alausa said that the performance dip was a direct result of JAMB’s stricter security measures, which have led to a notable decrease in exam misconduct.

That’s a serious worry, because it reflects how well exams are administered, he said. A computer-based testing system is used by JAMB to administer its exams. Since they have put in place robust security measures, fraud and cheating have been totally eradicated. Regretfully, we are unable to say the same about NECO and WAEC.

Alausa also declared that by November 2025, the National Examinations Council and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) will start using computer-based exams, beginning with objective examinations.

He asserts that exam fraud discourages hardworking students and that the ministry is still dedicated to restoring the legitimacy of Nigeria’s admissions and assessment procedures through the use of technology-driven solutions.

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“By the May/June 2026 exam cycle, the entire CBT model—including essay sections—will be implemented,” he continued.

“To combat this scam, we must deploy technology. The sheer number of “miracle centers” is intolerable. After cheating on the WAEC and NECO exams, some attempt to cheat on the JAMB, which is almost impossible to do. That is the discrepancy that we are currently witnessing. It is disheartening.

“The worst thing about cheating is that it discourages those who put in the most effort.” Do you think I’ll put in the necessary study time if I’m getting ready for WAEC or NECO and I know some of my classmates already have access to the questions? No, I could be tempted to go with them. Good students become corrupted in this way, and we need to stop it.