Tensions flared at the headquarters of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja on Monday as dozens of enraged parents and guardians staged a mass protest over what they described as “unbelievably low” Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scores for their children.
Chanting slogans and carrying placards with messages such as “We Demand Transparency”, “Stop Destroying Our Children’s Future”, and “These Scores Are Fake”, the protesters gathered at the main entrance of the JAMB office, demanding explanations for the drastic dip in the 2025 UTME results.
Some of the aggrieved parents claimed their children, who had consistently performed well in school and mock exams, received shockingly low marks — with some reportedly scoring below 150 despite expectations of 250 and above.
“This is not normal. My daughter is an ‘A’ student. She studied day and night for this exam and came out crying with a score of 142. Something is wrong,” said Mrs. Evelyn Ogundele, a mother who travelled from Ondo State to join the protest.
Calls for Independent Investigation
The protesting parents accused JAMB of mismanaging the exam process, and some called for an independent investigation into the 2025 UTME results. Rumours of technical glitches, result manipulation, and systemic failure fueled further anger and suspicion among the crowd.
“We’re not just here for our children, we’re here for justice,” said Mr. Kelechi Nwosu, another protesting parent. “How can tens of thousands of students suddenly fail this badly? We want an audit, we want transparency, and we want it now.”
JAMB Responds
In response to the growing uproar, JAMB released a brief statement urging calm and assuring the public that the 2025 UTME results were released after a thorough review and adherence to due process.
“All results published are accurate reflections of candidates’ performance,” the statement read. “We understand the concerns being raised and are willing to look into any formal complaints backed with evidence. However, mass failure cannot be attributed to sabotage or system error unless proven otherwise.”
The board added that any candidate who believes their score was wrongly computed can apply for a review or lodge a formal appeal through the designated portal.
Educational Stakeholders Weigh In
The protest has reignited debate over the credibility of Nigeria’s central university entrance examination system. Education stakeholders have called on JAMB to improve transparency and allow greater access to performance data.
“This level of public outcry should not be ignored. If there’s a loss of trust in the process, JAMB must act swiftly to investigate and reassure Nigerians that the system is fair and accurate,” said Professor Grace Bako, an education policy expert based in Abuja.
Looking Ahead
As more parents across states join the online conversation and threaten additional protests, JAMB is expected to hold a press briefing later this week to further address the situation.
Meanwhile, thousands of candidates and their families remain in distress, caught between disbelief and dwindling hopes for the 2025 admission cycle.
More happenings as
- UTME Candidate Commits Suicide Over ‘Low Score’, Gets Admission Notification 30 Minutes Later
Meanwhile A 19-year-old candidate of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) tragically took her own life on Tuesday after receiving what she believed to be a disappointing score in the 2025 examination. However, in an unfathomably cruel twist of fate, just 30 minutes after her death, she was sent an admission offer from a Nigerian university, unbeknownst to her.
The young woman, whose identity has been withheld at the request of her grieving family, reportedly took her own life after reviewing her UTME result, which showed a significantly lower score than she had anticipated. According to relatives, the candidate had high hopes for securing a place in one of the country’s top universities, and she had been under immense pressure to perform well in the highly competitive exam.
The Chain of Events
Relatives and close friends have described her as a bright and dedicated student, having invested countless hours in preparation for the UTME. “She had always been at the top of her class,” said an anonymous family member. “She was so hopeful, and when the results came, she felt completely crushed. The shock was too much for her to handle.”
According to sources, the young woman had been preparing for university for years, having seen her friends achieve great success in previous years. After receiving her UTME score, which was reportedly far below what she had expected, she became increasingly distressed, convinced that her dreams of further education were shattered.
Just 30 minutes after her tragic passing, an automated admission message from a Nigerian university arrived, notifying the candidate that she had been accepted into the institution. The message came as a result of her UTME performance, which, though below her expectations, had still met the minimum criteria for admission.
The Tragic Irony
The tragic irony of the situation has shocked both the family and the wider community. How could a life be lost over a score that would later lead to the very opportunity the student had been striving for? This tragic incident has sparked a conversation on mental health, academic pressure, and the high stakes of Nigeria’s university entrance system.
Family members and friends have expressed their disbelief, lamenting the cruel timing of the notification. “She didn’t get to see her success,” said one of her close friends, who had spoken with her the day before the results were released. “She worked so hard, and to think that she could have been saved if she had just waited a little longer, if she had only known that the result wasn’t the end.”
The Bigger Picture: Academic Pressure and Mental Health
This heartbreaking incident has underscored the immense academic pressure facing Nigerian students preparing for the UTME. Every year, millions of young Nigerians participate in the examination in hopes of securing admission into tertiary institutions. With the competition so fierce and the process so emotionally taxing, it’s not uncommon for candidates to suffer from anxiety and stress.
Experts have long warned about the mental health toll that such pressure can take. “We are seeing an increasing number of young people who are struggling with mental health issues related to academic performance,” said Dr. Adesewa Alabi, a clinical psychologist in Lagos. “The UTME results are often seen as the gateway to success or failure in life, and when students don’t meet their expectations, it can feel like their world is collapsing.”
Dr. Alabi emphasized the importance of offering psychological support to students before and after the exam, especially during results periods. “It’s crucial that mental health services are integrated into the education system to provide support to students who may be overwhelmed.”
Outpouring of Grief and Calls for Reform
The young woman’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief and outrage across social media platforms and among students, parents, and educational stakeholders. Many have taken to Twitter and Facebook to mourn her passing and express concerns about the pressures placed on young candidates.
Several youth advocacy groups have called for a rethinking of the UTME system, citing the need for mental health support and a shift in how the success or failure of the examination is framed in Nigerian society. “This is a wake-up call. No one should ever feel that their worth is determined by a single exam,” said Temidayo Sanni, a youth activist. “We need to build a system that values the mental and emotional well-being of our students.”
In the wake of this tragedy, calls for reform of the UTME process have gained momentum. There are increasing demands for a more holistic approach to university admissions, where personal development, extracurricular involvement, and emotional intelligence are considered alongside academic performance.
The Role of JAMB and Educational Authorities
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which conducts the UTME, has expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the family of the deceased. In a statement, JAMB reiterated its commitment to supporting students through their educational journey but acknowledged the challenges many face in managing the pressure associated with the examination.
“JAMB remains dedicated to improving the integrity of the UTME system and the well-being of Nigerian students,” said a representative from the board. “We are reviewing our processes to ensure better support for students, including initiatives to address mental health and emotional well-being.”
A Final Message of Hope
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the critical importance of mental health awareness, particularly among young people navigating high-pressure environments like the UTME. It is imperative that society as a whole—parents, educators, policymakers, and students themselves—work together to create a culture that prioritizes emotional resilience, open dialogue, and support systems.
While the young woman’s life has been tragically cut short, her story has opened a dialogue about how best to safeguard the mental well-being of students in an educational system that too often emphasizes competition over compassion.
