Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has defended the recent mass failure in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), describing it not as a systemic failure but as a breakthrough in the nation’s fight against exam malpractice.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Dr. Alausa said the poor performance is a direct result of enhanced exam integrity through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) adoption of computer-based testing (CBT).
“It’s actually a good sign,” he stated. “The system is finally working the way it should. What we’re seeing is the impact of a clean, technology-driven exam process where cheating has been drastically curtailed.”
According to the Minister, many students who previously passed UTME did so through fraudulent means, which are now being blocked by tighter security and digital exam delivery.
He also expressed concern that students who cheat their way through WAEC and NECO exams face a rude awakening when confronted with JAMB’s stricter protocols. “They’ve been cruising through secondary school by dishonest means, and UTME exposes that gap,” he said.
To address the broader inconsistency across national examinations, Dr. Alausa announced that both WAEC and NECO will begin transitioning to CBT by November 2025. By 2027, all major examination bodies — including EMBRAS and NBTEB — will be fully digitized.
“We’re going to dismantle the entire ecosystem of exam fraud — from students and parents to invigilators. Technology is our strongest tool,” he added.
The Minister, who has a background in both primary and secondary education, warned that malpractice not only undermines honest students but also erodes trust in the education system.
“When students see others pass with leaked questions, their motivation disappears. That’s the culture we must change,” he noted.
Reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to educational reform, Dr. Alausa emphasized the need to reward hard work and merit.
“Nigerian youths are brilliant and energetic. We owe them an education system that is fair, credible, and empowering.”
For information on Press Releases, Photos, Promotional Events and Adverts, Please message us on WhatsApp via (+234) 09052129258, 08124662170 or send an email to: info@educeleb.com.
