JAMB Responds to Backlash Over Accusations Against UTME Top Performer

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has pushed back against allegations of witch-hunting following public outcry over its handling of Chinedu Okeke, the highest-scoring candidate in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Chinedu Okeke scored 375 out of 400 in this year’s UTME, making him the top-performing candidate. However, controversy erupted after Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare, disclosed that Okeke was facing allegations of being a “mercenary” due to his academic history. Onyia explained that Okeke had previously written the UTME in 2021, gained admission to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and is currently in his fourth year. According to Onyia, Chinedu decided to switch to Mechanical Engineering and chose to retake the UTME in 2025 to pursue this new path, a move that triggered the accusations.

The incident sparked a wave of support on social media, with many Nigerians accusing JAMB of unfairly targeting a bright student for simply retaking the exam.

In response, JAMB issued a strongly worded statement signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, dismissing the backlash as “a tale of emotional blackmail.” The exam body clarified that contrary to online claims, Chinedu Okeke is not from Anambra State but from Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area in Lagos State, where he originally registered for the 2021 UTME.

JAMB confirmed that Okeke used his Lagos State credentials to gain admission into UNN and that university records indicate he remains an active student in the Medicine and Surgery programme. “A review of his student records from the university has not yet contradicted this information,” the statement read. “This, as it were, raises significant questions as to why a 400-level medical student would suddenly pivot to studying Mechanical Engineering in 2025 while still enrolled in his original programme, especially given the inconsistencies in his personal claims which should form his identity.”

The Board also noted that it had not received any communication from UNN indicating that Okeke had withdrawn or transferred from the university. “Once we receive such confirmation, we will promptly notify the Medical and Dental Council to consider delisting him,” the statement said. “Until that is done, the Board would continue to treat Chinedu with all the dignity he deserves as a bona fide student of one of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.”

JAMB reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, warning against attempts to exploit loopholes in the admissions system. “The facts are clear,” the Board said. “Chinedu took advantage of Lagos State’s quota in 2021, thereby obstructing the admission opportunities for other deserving candidates from the state. Furthermore, he attempted to manipulate his details with the NIMC to unjustly claim representation from Anambra State in 2025.”

JAMB concluded by stating it would not be distracted by “the antics of attention-seekers” as it continues to uphold merit and integrity in the admissions process.

Following the release of the statement on social media platform X, many Nigerians questioned when it became a crime to retake the UTME to pursue a change in course of study. The debate continues to stir heated reactions online.