Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has said that the high failure rate recorded in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is a strong indication that the government’s efforts to curb exam malpractice are beginning to pay off, especially within the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) system.
Dr. Alausa made this known while speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief programme on Tuesday, following JAMB’s release of results which showed that out of 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the 2025 UTME, only about 420,000 scored above 200 — meaning more than 78% failed to meet the benchmark.
“That’s a big concern, and it’s a reflection of exams being done the proper way,” the minister stated. “With JAMB’s computer-based testing and strict security measures, exam fraud has been largely eliminated — a contrast to what we still see in WAEC and NECO.”
He explained that upon assumption of office, the education ministry initiated a comprehensive review of the country’s examination systems. As part of ongoing reforms, he announced that both the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) will begin transitioning to computer-based testing (CBT) by November 2025, starting with objective questions. Full CBT, including essay sections, will take effect from the May/June 2026 exam cycle.
“We have to use technology to fight this fraud,” Alausa said. “Too many miracle centres are still operating. That’s unacceptable. People cheat in WAEC and NECO and then struggle with JAMB, where cheating is nearly impossible. That’s the disparity we’re seeing now.”
He also warned that exam malpractice undermines academic integrity and affects dedicated students.
“The worst part of cheating is that it discourages those who work hard. If a student sees others getting leaked questions, they may give up on studying. That’s how we lose good students to bad habits,” the minister added.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to restoring integrity in Nigeria’s education system through technology-driven solutions and strict reforms.
