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By Tracy Moses
Widespread outrage has erupted across the South East, particularly in Anambra State, following the release of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, which many parents, educators, and students have described as unusually poor and troubling.
Reacting to the development, former Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and Chairman, School Management Board of Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha, Professor Ilochi Okafor (SAN), has called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to urgently review its scoring algorithm.
Prof. Okafor, in a statement on Sunday, May 11, 2025, questioned the integrity of the scoring process, citing a troubling trend in which several high-performing candidates from Anambra and other South Eastern states scored below expectations, with many clustered between 130 and 180 marks.
“Why are UTME scores in Anambra and other states so low? The JAMB algorithm must be reviewed,” he demanded.
Describing the situation as deeply concerning, Prof. Okafor said, “This year’s UTME results have triggered confusion, frustration, and suspicion, particularly among students who are known to be academically sound and who had adequately prepared for the exams.”
He noted that historically, students from Anambra and similar education-focused states have performed exceptionally well in national examinations. However, the 2025 UTME outcome has disrupted that record, raising questions about the fairness of the system.
According to the senior advocate, JAMB’s automated scoring and moderation mechanism, designed to detect exam malpractice and adjust scores accordingly, might have backfired or malfunctioned.
“It appears that once a centre is flagged for suspected irregularities, all results from that location are automatically subjected to downward moderation. This blanket penalty approach punishes innocent candidates along with the guilty,” he said.
Okafor described this as a flawed system that undermines trust and jeopardizes the academic future of thousands of hardworking students.
“Imagine a student who studied diligently for months, aced mock exams, and walked into the UTME hall confidently, only to end up with a score of 160. For such a student, that score could mean lost opportunities in competitive fields like medicine or engineering,” he lamented.
He stressed that such experiences damage not just the morale of students but also the credibility of the examination body.
As a solution, Prof. Okafor called for the immediate implementation of an instant score display mechanism at the end of UTME sessions.
“If the UTME is truly a Computer-Based Test (CBT), there’s no justification for withholding scores for days. Instant score display will enhance transparency, allow early error detection, and restore faith in the system,” he said.
He added that globally respected examination bodies prioritize fairness and transparency, and JAMB must follow suit to maintain its integrity.
“Only a transparent process can inspire trust,” he concluded.