Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has condemned the alarming performance in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), describing it as a direct consequence of Nigeria’s failing education system.
According to data released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), out of 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the exam, only about 420,000 scored above 200. This means over 1.5 million candidates, more than 78% fell below the 200-mark benchmark.
In a statement shared on his verified social media platforms, Obi said the dismal results reflect a deeper crisis rooted in decades of underfunding and neglect of the education sector. He stressed that the results should not be treated as isolated, but as indicators of systemic collapse.
“These results highlight the consequences of decades of underinvestment in education, a sector that should be central to our national development strategy,” Obi wrote.
He compared Nigeria’s tertiary education statistics with those of other countries, noting stark differences. While Nigeria has a total university enrollment of about two million, Bangladesh’s National University alone serves over 3.4 million students despite having a smaller population. He also cited Turkey, which has more than seven million university students, far surpassing Nigeria’s total.
“Bangladesh, which once lagged behind Nigeria in virtually every measurable development index, now surpasses us in all key areas, including the Human Development Index (HDI),” he said.
Obi reiterated that education is not just a social service but a strategic investment necessary for any nation that aims to prosper. He urged the government at all levels to treat education with the urgency it deserves.
“Education is the most critical driver of national development and the most powerful tool for lifting people out of poverty. If we are serious about building a prosperous, secure, and equitable Nigeria, we must invest aggressively in education at all levels,” he added.
