Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has expressed concern regarding the low performance recorded in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), noting it as an indication of challenges in Nigeria’s education sector.
Obi responded to JAMB statistics showing that out of nearly two million candidates, only about 420,000 scored above 200, while over 1.5 million fell below. He called this a sign of systemic neglect and warned it endangers the nation’s future, on his social media page.
He stated, “The latest JAMB results highlight the consequences of decades of underinvestment in education, which should be central to our national development.”
Obi pointed out Nigeria’s low university enrollment compared to developing nations like Bangladesh, which has over 3.4 million students despite a smaller population, and Turkey, with more than seven million students enrolled in higher institutions.
He argued that Nigeria’s poor performance in education and development indicators shows misplaced national priorities.
“Bangladesh, once behind Nigeria in several global metrics, now leads in the Human Development Index and other key areas,” he stated. He urged policymakers to view education as a national investment due to its role in poverty reduction and economic growth. “Education is not just a social service; it is a strategic investment. It is a critical driver of national development and a powerful tool for lifting people out of poverty. We must invest significantly in education at all levels to build a prosperous, secure, and equitable Nigeria,” Obi concluded.
