Mass Failure in 2025 UTME Signals Crackdown on Exam Malpractice, Says Education Minister

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has linked the high failure rate in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to the government’s intensified efforts against examination malpractice.

In an interview on Channels Television, Dr. Alausa emphasized that the disappointing results reflect a more secure and fraud-resistant examination system, rather than a decline in student intelligence. He noted that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has enhanced its credibility through strict implementation of Computer-Based Testing (CBT), making cheating nearly impossible.

“JAMB conducts its exams using computer-based testing. They have put so much security in place that fraud or cheating has been completely eliminated,” Dr. Alausa stated.

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He announced plans to extend this anti-malpractice model to other national examinations. Starting November 2025, both the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will begin transitioning to CBT, with full implementation, including essay components, expected by May/June 2026.

Dr. Alausa expressed concern over the culture of cheating in secondary school exams, which he believes undermines hardworking students and fosters dishonesty. He described the current state of malpractice as an ecosystem involving students, parents, and invigilators, and affirmed the ministry’s commitment to dismantling it.

“We have a youth population that we are training to be useful, to deliver to the country and to the world at large. We cannot afford for this pervasiveness to continue in our education system,” he added.

The 2025 UTME saw over 1.5 million candidates score below 200, sparking nationwide concerns and prompting calls for educational reforms.