Allegations of systemic discrimination have erupted following the release of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, with widespread outcry over low scores among candidates from Nigeria’s South East region.
The controversy intensified after Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare, released a technical report via X (formerly Twitter), highlighting possible discrepancies in JAMB’s core system. The report followed a wave of frustration from students and parents who claimed the exam results did not reflect candidates’
In a separate development, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar was seen in tears during a press conference, apologising for “errors” in the UTME system. This public display has done little to ease growing tensions, especially as groups such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have threatened legal action, citing “unacceptable” glitches and mass failure trends.
Critics argue that the consistent underrepresentation of the South East in federal appointments, limited infrastructure, and now apparent exam irregularities underline a broader pattern of marginalisation. The issue has reignited debates over national equity, inclusion, and the need for systemic reform in Nigeria’s education sector.
