UTME Mass failure shows anti-malpractice measures active – Minister

THE Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has stated that the high failure rate recorded in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, is evidence that the government’s anti-malpractice measures are effective.

Dr Alausa made the statement during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday, amid widespread public reaction to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s, JAMB, latest examination results.

According to JAMB, out of the 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the UTME, only about 420,000 scored above 200 marks, indicating that over 78 percent of candidates fell below the benchmark.

“That’s a big concern, and it’s a reflection of exams being done the proper way,” Alausa said during the interview.

“JAMB conducts its exams using a computer-based testing system with robust security. Cheating has been nearly eliminated.”

The minister said the performance drop is largely due to the reduction in examination malpractice, unlike in other examination bodies such as the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, and National Examinations Council, NECO.

He stated that upon assuming office, the education ministry undertook a full review of Nigeria’s examination systems to identify weaknesses and propose technology-driven reforms.

Alausa announced that WAEC and NECO would begin transitioning to computer-based testing in phases, starting with objective sections by November 2025.

“The full computer-based testing model, including essay papers, will be adopted for the May/June 2026 examination session,” he added.

He explained that the disparity in student performance between WAEC/NECO and JAMB is due to the widespread malpractice at traditional exam centres, including so-called “miracle centres”.

“We have to use technology to fight this fraud,” Alausa said.

“People cheat during WAEC and NECO exams and then face JAMB where cheating is nearly impossible. That’s the disparity we’re seeing now.”

The minister warned that cheating undermines educational standards and has a demoralising effect on students who study diligently for their exams.

“The worst part of cheating is that it disincentivises the hard-working ones,” he noted.

“If I’m preparing for WAEC or NECO and I know classmates already have access to the questions, I’ll be tempted to join them.”

He further stated that such a culture corrupts academically promising students and perpetuates systemic failure in the education sector.

Alausa reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Education to restoring credibility in the nation’s academic processes by strengthening technological infrastructure and examination integrity.

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He concluded by calling for public support and institutional cooperation to ensure that examination reforms are implemented effectively and sustainably.