JAMB vs UTME Top Scorer: Controversy Rocks 2025 Exam
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is under fire after alleging that the leading scorer in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), Chinedu Okeke, engaged in dishonest practices.
Mr. Okeke, who applied for mechanical engineering at the University of Lagos, achieved a score of 375 out of the possible 400 in the computer-based test.
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Registrar Is-haq Oloyede implied that dishonest behavior was involved, noting that Mr. Okeke was already registered in the system as a fourth-year medicine and surgery student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
Professor Oloyede mentioned that the board contacted the university, which confirmed that Mr. Okeke is still enrolled and performing well.
However, social media users have accused the board of targeting the candidate unfairly.
For instance, Alex Onyia, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Educare, a school software provider, stated that the candidate is from Anambra State and had correctly filled out his profile with JAMB.
Mr. Onyia, who communicated with the candidate’s family, asserted that the mistake arose after JAMB incorporated incorrect information from the National Identity Number (NIN) platform as stated in his 2021 JAMB slip.
Since 2021, JAMB has required the use of NIN for candidate registrations to facilitate data migration, ensure consistency of information, and allow for easy integration.
“Chinedu’s NIN details have been amended and sent to JAMB as part of a data correction in 2021. This can be verified on his profile page,” Mr. Onyia stated.
JAMB’s response
However, JAMB insists that it relies on ‘facts and data,’ asserting that the facts in its possession differ from what is being represented on social media.
In a statement from its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, JAMB clarified that the information it has from the candidate’s NIN indicates he is from Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos State, where he took the 2021 UTME.
“First of all, it is incorrect to claim that Chinedu Okeke is from Anambra State,” JAMB stated.
According to JAMB, Mr. Okeke was admitted to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 2021, where he is currently a fourth-year student.
JAMB added that its review of the student’s records at UNN has not yet shown any contradictions to the information it possesses.
The board stated that once it receives confirmation that Mr. Okeke is no longer a student at UNN, it will promptly inform the Medical and Dental Council to consider delisting him.
“Until such confirmation is received, the board will continue to treat Chinedu with the respect he deserves as a legitimate student of one of Nigeria’s higher education institutions,” the board remarked.
JAMB pointed out that the discrepancies in the candidate’s personal details have raised ‘significant concerns.’
The board explained that candidates’ identities are confirmed with their NIN in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
“We do not alter or add to the information provided by candidates; therefore, there should be no disagreements regarding their identities,” the board clarified.
“The claim that JAMB retrieved erroneous details for Chinedu from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in 2021 is categorically false, intended to fabricate a defense for his situation.
The evidence indicates that Chinedu modified his records as submitted in 2021 before registering for the 2025 UTME, a fact acknowledged even by his own representatives.”
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