"A Reflection of National Neglect": Peter Obi Condemns Alarming JAMB Results, Calls for Strategic Investment in Education

 

Former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised alarm over the dismal performance recorded in the recently concluded 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Drawing attention to what he describes as a "disturbing indicator" of systemic failure, Obi warned that Nigeria is witnessing the devastating effects of years of neglect in the education sector.

According to figures released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), nearly two million candidates — precisely 1,955,069 — sat for this year’s UTME. However, only around 420,000 managed to score above 200 out of a possible 400. This translates to more than 78% of candidates falling below the threshold, a statistic that has prompted widespread concern and criticism.

Speaking via his verified social media platform, Obi did not mince words in attributing this poor outcome to chronic underinvestment in the country’s educational infrastructure. He lamented that the sector has suffered from years of systemic abandonment and misprioritization by successive governments.

The former presidential candidate emphasized that the UTME results were not merely a reflection of the students' performance but rather a mirror of a collapsing system. “These results highlight the consequences of decades of underinvestment in education, a sector that should be central to our national development strategy,” he wrote.

By drawing global comparisons, Obi contextualized Nigeria’s educational challenges within a broader development perspective. Citing Bangladesh as a noteworthy example, he pointed out that despite having a population that is only 75% the size of Nigeria’s, the South Asian country’s National University alone enrolls over 3.4 million students — more than Nigeria’s entire tertiary education system combined.

The contrast, Obi noted, is even starker when one considers historical context. "Bangladesh, which once lagged behind Nigeria in virtually every measurable development index, now surpasses us in all key areas, including the Human Development Index (HDI)," he asserted.

Another example he cited was Turkey. With a population of approximately 87.7 million, the country boasts over seven million university students — a number that dwarfs Nigeria's two million. Obi emphasized that these figures are not mere data points but reflections of national commitment to education as a transformative tool.

He reiterated his longstanding position that education should be viewed as more than just a social service or budgetary line item. According to him, education must be treated as a core element of national strategy — one that has a direct impact on security, economic development, and poverty reduction.

“Education is the most critical driver of national development and the most powerful tool for lifting people out of poverty,” he stated. “If we are serious about building a prosperous, secure, and equitable Nigeria, we must invest aggressively in education at all levels.”

Obi’s remarks come amid growing public discourse over the state of Nigeria’s education system. Analysts have noted that the widening gap between Nigerian students and their global counterparts is being exacerbated by underfunded schools, outdated curricula, inadequate teacher training, and socio-economic factors that hinder access to quality learning.

Though the federal government has repeatedly declared education as a priority, funding levels have consistently fallen short of the UNESCO-recommended benchmark of allocating 15–20% of national budgets to the sector. Nigeria typically allocates less than 10% — a gap that education stakeholders argue must be urgently addressed.

Obi’s intervention adds momentum to calls for a comprehensive review of the national education framework. Education advocates are increasingly pushing for a multi-pronged strategy that includes curriculum reform, teacher development, investment in school infrastructure, digital education tools, and increased support for low-income families.

The impact of poor educational outcomes extends far beyond the classroom. Research has shown a strong link between educational access and national productivity, healthcare outcomes, civic engagement, and even national security. As such, observers argue that continuing to overlook the sector would be a grave disservice to the country’s future.

Obi, who has built a reputation for championing education during and after his tenure as governor, remains consistent in his advocacy. During his time in office, he was known for investing heavily in schools, introducing performance-based grants to mission schools, and encouraging partnerships with the private sector to improve educational standards.

As Nigeria grapples with the implications of the 2025 UTME results, Obi's message resonates as both a critique and a call to action. He urges policymakers, education stakeholders, and the broader society to wake up to the reality that a nation cannot progress without empowering its youth through education.

With over 1.5 million Nigerian youths having failed to meet the basic UTME benchmark this year, the question now is not just what went wrong — but how much longer Nigeria can afford to ignore the silent crisis unfolding in its classrooms.