Outrage over poor JAMB results sparks class action suit led by edutech founder Alex Onyia

The release of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has ignited widespread controversy, with parents, candidates, and education stakeholders decrying what they describe as the poorest performance in recent years.

Amid allegations of discrepancies in scoring and concerns over withheld results, Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare, one of the leading education technology platforms in Africa, has announced plans to lead a class action lawsuit against JAMB. The suit, set to be filed at the Federal High Court on Monday, May 12, 2025, demands full disclosure of the UTME marking sheet and detailed scoring information to allow students to verify the accuracy of their results.

The recently released JAMB 2025 UTME results revealed a staggering decline in performance. According to a statistical update shared by JAMB, over 1.5 million of the 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the exam scored below 200 out of a possible 400 marks. Only 0.63% (12,421 candidates) scored 300 and above, while 24,535 candidates scored less than 100 marks. Additionally, results for 39,834 candidates were withheld due to alleged malpractices, with 96 results specifically flagged for examination infractions, a slight improvement from the 123 withheld in 2024, as noted by JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede during a press conference.

The scale of the underperformance has raised eyebrows, especially when compared to previous years. In 2022, JAMB reported that 378,639 candidates scored above 200, and in 2024, 24% of candidates achieved at least 200 marks. This year’s figures, however, mark a significant low, with over 75% of candidates scoring below the 200-mark threshold.

The dismal results have prompted JAMB and institutions to consider lowering the national minimum cut-off mark for university admissions, a measure previously adopted in 2019 and 2022 when similar underperformance trends were observed.

JAMB poor results: candidates and parents cry foul

The release of the results has been met with an outpouring of frustration on social media platforms, particularly on X, where candidates and parents have voiced their disbelief and anger. Many candidates who sat for the exam between April 24 and May 5, 2025, reported scores far below their expectations, especially those with a history of academic excellence.

For instance, @quwam001 highlighted the case of Egbaze Victoria, who scored 295 in the 2024 UTME but received a shocking 132 in 2025. “Something is seriously wrong with the recently released UTME results. These scores do not reflect the abilities, efforts, or track record of our students,” the user wrote, tagging JAMB’s official handle, @JAMBHQ.

Similarly, @timmieexx shared a personal grievance: “My brother’s JAMB result just came out, and it’s not adding up. This is someone with a consistent record of academic excellence. Too much effort and too many sleepless nights went into preparation. This is so unfair. Please REVIEW IT!!!!!” Another user, @Cuisine001, lamented, “Aggregate of 173… as howwwwww. Not after all the sleepless nights I had to prepare so hard for this exam.”

The hashtag #THISISNOTMYRESULT began trending on X, reflecting the growing discontent. @DrDamsel7, who scored 222 in a previous year despite minimal preparation, expressed disbelief at her 2025 score of 162, while @Tobiloba_Ag urged JAMB to “check their systems very well”, particularly for candidates who wrote the exam between April 24 and 26.

Systemic issues and calls for transparency

Beyond individual complaints, systemic issues with the 2025 UTME have come under scrutiny. JAMB reported that four Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres were delisted and blacklisted due to technical deficiencies and substandard performance, including centres in Kano, Zaria, Imo, and Ogun states. Additionally, 80 suspects are currently being interrogated by the police for their involvement in examination malpractices, with most expected to face prosecution.

Prof. Oloyede also revealed that 3,656 candidates had “extraneous fingerprints” in their registration details, raising concerns about potential impersonation strategies.

Onuh Omale (@omaleking), a psychometrician, suggested a more structured approach to addressing the issue: “There are procedures to releasing this score, most especially since it is presumed a CBT. I think you should demand JAMB publish the marking scheme for all the types while an independent psychometrician analyses it.”

This call for transparency in JAMB’s marking and grading process has gained traction, with many stakeholders arguing that the current system lacks accountability.

Amid the growing unrest, Alex Onyia, the CEO of Educare and a prominent figure in Africa’s edutech space, has taken a proactive stance. On May 10, 2025, Onyia posted on X under his handle @winexviv, urging affected students to fill out a complaint form to document their concerns:

“If you’re a student concerned that your JAMB score is significantly lower than expected, and you’re confident there’s an error, please fill this form immediately. We are taking legal steps by Monday at the Federal High Court to compel JAMB to release the marking sheet and scoring details so students can verify the accuracy of their results.”

The form, hosted on Google Forms, requests detailed information from candidates, including their 2025 JAMB registration number, current and previous scores, the state and CBT centre where they wrote the exam, and a detailed account of their concerns.

The planned class action suit aims to hold JAMB accountable for what Onyia and many others see as a failure in the 2025 UTME process. The suit seeks to compel JAMB to release the marking sheet and scoring details, a move that could set a precedent for greater transparency in Nigeria’s education system.

The lawsuit comes at a critical time for JAMB, which has yet to provide an official response to the mounting complaints. The board has previously emphasised its commitment to eliminating examination malpractice, with Prof. Oloyede describing the 2025 UTME as “one of the most successful in recent years” despite the challenges. However, the growing backlash suggests that candidates and parents are not convinced, and Onyia’s legal action may force JAMB to address these concerns head-on.