Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has explained that the high failure rate in the 2025 UTME indicates that anti-malpractice measures are effectively working within JAMB. The data showed that out of nearly two million candidates, only around 420,000 scored above 200, with over 78% failing to meet the threshold.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, explained that the high failure rate in the 2025 UTME is due to reduced cheating, thanks to JAMB’s strict security measures and computer-based testing system. He noted that JAMB’s security protocols have effectively eliminated fraud, unlike WAEC and NECO, which are still transitioning to CBT. Alausa also announced that Nigeria’s examination bodies will fully adopt CBT for all subjects, including essays, by mid-2026 as part of ongoing reforms.
Minister Alausa emphasized the need to leverage technology to combat exam fraud, criticizing the existence of ‘miracle centres’ where cheating occurs during WAEC and NECO exams, unlike JAMB where cheating is nearly impossible. He highlighted that such malpractice discourages diligent students, as knowing others cheat undermines their motivation to study. The minister acknowledged that both weak enforcement and declining standards contribute to poor results, but he stressed that widespread cheating remains the primary problem.
Alausa stated that the government is working to improve teaching quality and utilize technology, such as online classes, across primary and secondary education. However, he emphasized that widespread cheating in WAEC and NECO exams remains a major issue. While JAMB has nearly eliminated fraud, WAEC and NECO still face significant challenges. He highlighted that talented and energetic youths are often corrupted by their environment, and the government is committed to addressing this problem.