In the wake of an alarming performance in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), education stakeholders have called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s education sector, with a focus on curriculum overhaul, sustainable investment in basic education, and comprehensive teacher training.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Monday announced the release of the 2025 UTME results, revealing that only 22.13 percent of candidates scored 200 and above out of a possible 400 marks. According to the board, a total of 432,829 out of 1,955,069 candidates managed to attain this benchmark, sparking widespread concern among educators, parents, and policymakers.
Experts Decry Abysmal Performance
Reacting to the development, Dr. Stanley Alaubi, a senior lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, described the results as “very poor” and symptomatic of deeper structural challenges within Nigeria’s education system.
Speaking from the United Kingdom, Alaubi advocated for a radical overhaul of the nation’s curriculum, suggesting that Nigeria should design an education system tailored to its socio-economic realities and local needs.
“Our curriculum should be changed to reflect our setting. I am currently in the UK for my leave, and I see how Britons focus more on industrialisation and vocational skills. Everyone works and earns at least £12.21 per hour. Their emphasis is on production, not necessarily higher education,” Alaubi observed.
He suggested that Nigeria follow a similar path by promoting local content and empowering citizens economically through competence-based education and practical skills development.
Call for Sustainable Investment in Basic Education
Echoing similar sentiments, Jessica Osuere, Chief Executive Officer of RubiesHub Education Services, stressed the need for sustained investments in basic education infrastructure and human capital development for teachers.
“These poor performances call for urgent and sustained investment in basic education, teacher training, curriculum reform, and equitable access to learning resources,” Osuere stated.
She noted that the disappointing results reflect deep-rooted issues such as widespread learning gaps, inadequate teaching quality, and systemic underfunding of the education sector.
According to Osuere, policymakers must urgently address these challenges to ensure every Nigerian child has a fair chance at quality education and future opportunities.
Exploring Alternative Pathways
Both Alaubi and Osuere agreed that Nigeria must diversify its education framework beyond university admissions. Osuere particularly advocated for expanded access to technical and entrepreneurship education, ensuring viable alternatives for students who may not meet the requirements for university admission.
“University education remains vital for national development, but we must also invest in technical and vocational education. Not every student will thrive in a conventional university system, and we need to create multiple pathways for success,” she advised.
Possible Reasons for Poor Results
Education experts have attributed the disappointing UTME performance to several factors, including:
- Outdated and poorly contextualised curriculum
- Inadequate teacher training and welfare
- Poorly equipped public schools and limited access to digital learning tools
- A growing disconnect between classroom learning and real-world skills
- Inequities in educational opportunities across urban and rural communities
Stakeholders say the current situation must serve as a wake-up call to government authorities, school administrators, and parents alike to address these issues before the nation’s future workforce is further jeopardised.
As discussions around the UTME results continue, education reform remains a pressing national priority, with calls growing louder for the federal and state governments to take decisive, long-term action.
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