Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has offered a controversial but firm explanation for the high failure rate recorded in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), attributing it to the growing success of the federal government’s anti-malpractice efforts.
Speaking during a Tuesday appearance on Morning Brief, a programme aired on Channels Television, Dr. Alausa said that the disappointing performance of many candidates is not a reflection of declining academic ability, but rather a direct result of stricter security measures implemented by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
“This year's result is indeed concerning,” he admitted, “but it tells an important story — that exams are finally being conducted the right way, without shortcuts, fraud, or manipulation.”
According to statistics, over 1.5 million candidates scored below 200 in the 2025 UTME — a major shift from previous years. Alausa attributed this sharp drop in scores to JAMB’s use of a fortified Computer-Based Testing (CBT) system that has drastically curbed examination malpractice.
“JAMB has adopted strong technological safeguards to ensure integrity,” the Minister noted. “With their CBT model, cheating has become nearly impossible. We can now say, with confidence, that results coming from JAMB are genuine reflections of students' abilities.”
However, Alausa did not spare other examination bodies from criticism. He pointed out that unlike JAMB, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) have yet to fully embrace similar reforms.
“Unfortunately, WAEC and NECO haven’t reached that standard yet. Exam fraud is still rampant in those systems. The reality is that many students who pass WAEC and NECO through dishonest means are unprepared for the transparency and rigor of JAMB exams.”
He further revealed that significant changes are on the horizon. According to Alausa, WAEC and NECO will begin transitioning to computer-based testing formats by November 2025 — starting with objective questions — and will fully adopt the model, including essay-based sections, by the 2026 May/June examination cycle.
“We have to deploy technology as a weapon against academic fraud,” he emphasized. “So-called ‘miracle centres’ where cheating is orchestrated must become a thing of the past. They have corrupted our education system for far too long.”
The Minister’s remarks have sparked debate nationwide, with many calling for a balanced approach that not only enforces discipline but also addresses deeper issues like inadequate teaching, poor infrastructure, and lack of access to quality education.
In the face of criticism, Alausa insists that integrity must come first: “We must fix the foundation. If our students are to compete globally, we must insist on honesty — even if that means enduring a few years of painful truths.”
