JAMB Uncovers 96% Forged A-Level Results in BUK Direct Entry Applications

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed that 96 per cent of A-level results submitted to Bayero University, Kano (BUK) for Direct Entry admissions in 2024 were forged. According to the board, out of 148 results screened, only six were authentic while 142 were fake. JAMB made this known in its official bulletin, urging tertiary institutions to independently verify all submitted documents to curb the growing trend of fraudulent admissions. It noted that the Nigeria Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System (NIPEDS), introduced two years ago, has played a crucial role in detecting fake A-level certificates, including those from international institutions. The board said 13 additional fake certificates were recently flagged through NIPEDS, some of which had already been used to gain admission. JAMB confirmed that the individuals involved have been handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution. It warned that universities admitting candidates with forged documents may be held accountable, and advised institutions not to rely solely on NIPEDS, but to perform their due diligence. JAMB reiterated its commitment to upholding merit in admissions and called for greater collaboration among stakeholders to maintain the integrity of the admission process.

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JAMB’s Regional Server Model Fuels Distrust Amid UTME Glitches, Scholars Urge Structural Reform

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is under renewed scrutiny following a technical incident in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) that disrupted the results of over 379,000 candidates from the Lagos and South East zones. The glitch, widely attributed to inconsistencies in the board’s regionally managed server clusters, has sparked concerns about structural bias and deepened existing ethnic and regional tensions in Nigeria. JAMB currently operates a decentralised server model, where individual regions manage their own exam infrastructure. While intended to enhance localised efficiency, this system has inadvertently introduced uneven vulnerabilities, particularly in areas where software mismatches or delayed updates go unaddressed due to weak central oversight. Although there is no evidence the 2025 incident was deliberate, analysts warn that in a country as ethnically divided as Nigeria, even technical errors can be interpreted through the lens of regional discrimination. Political scientist Chukwuemeka Ibeanu (2005) cautioned that state institutions in Nigeria must be deliberately designed to prevent perceived exclusion or favouritism, while Peter Ekeh’s (1975) “two publics” theory explains how ethnic allegiances often supersede national loyalty, especially when state fairness is in question. “This isn’t just about faulty servers,” said one policy analyst. “It’s about a system that, by design, enables differential treatment. That perception — whether real or imagined — is politically dangerous.” Indeed, the fallout from the glitch has already led to tribal accusations, social media outrage, and rising calls for investigations into regional exam discrepancies. Experts now advocate for a cloud-based, centrally controlled system that would ensure uniform oversight, real-time updates, and greater transparency across all zones. Such a shift could not only improve operational efficiency, they argue, but also help dismantle the structural conditions that feed mistrust and regional resentment. “Institutional design matters,” one IT governance consultant said. “As long as JAMB continues with this fragmented approach, it opens itself up to technical failures being politicised — and that’s a risk Nigeria can no longer afford.”

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JAMB Releases 2025 UTME Results, Only 21.5% Score Above 200 As Nationwide Performance Declines

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with over 1.95 million candidates having taken part across Nigeria. Candidates can now check their scores via SMS or the official JAMB portal. To access results via SMS, candidates must send their registration number using the phone number linked to their JAMB profile to 55019 or 66019. This service costs ₦50. Alternatively, candidates can log in to the JAMB e-facility portal to check and print their results using their registration number or email and password. However, JAMB’s data revealed a troubling performance trend. Out of 1,955,069 candidates, only 412,415 (21.5%) scored above 200, the minimum benchmark for university admission. Nearly 79% of candidates fell below the cutoff. The report also disclosed that 40,247 underage candidates received special permission to participate based on academic promise. Of these, only 467 candidates (1.16%) achieved exceptional performance. In terms of misconduct, 97 candidates were confirmed to have engaged in examination malpractice, while 2,157 others remain under investigation. Furthermore, 71,701 candidates were marked absent, primarily due to unresolved biometric verification issues. JAMB has promised to reschedule affected candidates after completing investigations. This year’s outcome has sparked renewed concerns about Nigeria’s educational standards and the effectiveness of preparatory systems ahead of tertiary education.

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Ekiti Reaffirms Commitment to Inclusive Education, Supports FG’s Unified System Plan

The Ekiti State Government has restated its unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity in education and enhancing the welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), aligning with the Federal Government’s vision for a unified education system across Nigeria. Speaking at an event commemorating the International Albinism Awareness Day in Ado Ekiti, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, emphasized the administration’s resolve to implement inclusive policies that cater to the needs of all learners, including students with special needs. The celebration, organized in partnership with the Office of Disability Affairs, drew over 300 participants with albinism from across Ekiti’s 16 local government areas and Local Council Development Authorities (LCDAs), underlining the state’s dedication to disability inclusion. Princess Agboola assured attendees that modalities are being developed to promote a sense of belonging and equal opportunity for all students regardless of physical or social differences. “Ekiti will not be left behind in the Federal Government’s drive for a unified and inclusive education system,” she said. She urged parents and guardians of children with special needs to actively collaborate with schools to address individual challenges, stressing that inclusive education thrives on strong home-school partnerships. Commending the Ekiti State Albinism Association, Princess Agboola pledged continued government support in providing access to medical experts and necessary resources to address the unique needs of persons with albinism. She also encouraged the community to help attract professionals—especially in the healthcare sector—by showcasing Ekiti in a positive light. Highlighting the vision of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, she reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to economic empowerment and vocational training for unemployed or underemployed members of the association. A key highlight of the event was a comprehensive health outreach by dermatologists from the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife. Led by Dr. Olufemi Ologun, the team conducted skin and blood tests, provided skin cancer screenings, and offered consultations on preventive care. Dr. Ologun identified lack of skin protection and vision impairment as the two most pressing health issues for persons with albinism, recommending the use of UV-protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and avoidance of direct sunlight exposure. In his remarks, Mr. Oniya Johnson Oluwafemi, Chairman of the Ekiti State chapter of the Albinism Association of Nigeria, clarified that albinism is a genetic condition—not a disease—primarily affected by sun exposure. He expressed gratitude to Governor Oyebanji and the Office of the Special Adviser for their sustained support, particularly the provision of UV umbrellas, sunblock creams, and economic inclusion programs. Mr. Oluwafemi encouraged members of the albinism community to harness their talents for the betterment of Ekiti and reaffirmed the association’s support for Governor Oyebanji’s second-term ambition, citing confidence in the administration’s continued advocacy for disability rights.

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NELFUND Debunks Corruption Claims, Denounces “Dangerous Misinformation” on Student Loan Scheme

NELFUND Debunks Corruption Claims, Denounces Dangerous Misinformation on Student Loan Scheme

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has refuted recent allegations of fund mismanagement, calling the claims false, misleading, and harmful to public trust. In a statement by its Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND clarified that the student loan scheme, launched in 2024, operates through a fully automated, zero human-interface system with all payments made directly to verified institutions and students’ accounts. The agency stressed that the figures being circulated relate to older education programmes unrelated to NELFUND and reaffirmed its full compliance with oversight agencies like the ICPC, urging the public to disregard sensational reports and await verified updates.

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FG Directs WAEC NECO to Fully Adopt Computer-Based Testing by 2026

The federal government has directed major examination bodies, including the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), to transition fully to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2026. Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, issued the directive during a meeting with chief executives of examination bodies in Abuja. He emphasized the need for Nigeria’s assessment systems to align with global best practices and improve efficiency, credibility, and transparency in national examinations. Prof. Mamman noted that while the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has successfully implemented CBT for years, it is time for other examination bodies to follow suit. “This move will modernize our examination system and ensure Nigerian students are competitive globally,” he stated. The Minister urged the bodies to begin preparations immediately, including upgrading technical infrastructure, training personnel, and sensitizing students and parents ahead of the 2026 rollout.

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Declaration Bill

WARDC, Stakeholders Push for Passage of Safe School Declaration Bill

The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) and other key stakeholders have called for the urgent passage of the Safe School Declaration (SSD) Bill into law to ensure the protection of students, teachers, and educational institutions across Nigeria. Speaking at a recent advocacy meeting in Abuja, Executive Director of WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, emphasized that the increasing cases of attacks on schools, particularly in conflict-prone areas, demand immediate legislative action to safeguard the right to education. “The Safe School Declaration is not just a document; it is a commitment to protect our children and their future. Without legal backing, efforts to secure schools remain weak and inconsistent,” Akiyode-Afolabi said. She noted that Nigeria had endorsed the international Safe School Declaration in 2015 but stressed that without an enabling law, implementation has been fragmented. WARDC and its partners are urging the National Assembly to fast-track the legislative process to domesticate the SSD and make its principles legally binding. Several civil society organizations, education experts, security agencies, and representatives from the Ministry of Education joined WARDC in advocating for the bill. They highlighted the disturbing trend of mass abductions of students, school closures due to insecurity, and the resulting setbacks in education, especially for girls in the North. Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi also presented findings from a recent WARDC report, revealing that more than 1,500 students have been kidnapped from schools in the past five years, with many incidents occurring in the North-East and North-West regions. “Our children deserve to learn in a safe environment without fear. We must act now to stop this threat from stealing their dreams,” she urged. Stakeholders also called for greater investment in school security infrastructure, training for school personnel on emergency response, community involvement, and collaboration between security agencies and education authorities. Representatives of the National Assembly present at the event assured participants that steps are being taken to ensure the speedy passage of the bill. They pledged to work closely with civil society groups and other stakeholders to strengthen measures that guarantee safe learning environments. The Safe School Declaration, first launched in Oslo, Norway in 2015, is an inter-governmental political commitment to protect education during armed conflict and to ensure schools and universities are safe spaces for all students.

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Sanwo-Olu Delivers Guest Lecture at Harvard University

Sanwo-Olu Delivers Guest Lecture at Harvard University

I had an amazing experience speaking at Harvard Business School as a guest in Professor Hakeem Belo-Osagie’s course, “Understanding Africa: Business, Entrepreneurship, Political Economy and the Complexities of a Continent.” I presented on “Building the Future: Lagos State’s Infrastructure-Led Transformation,” which allowed me to share our ambitious vision for Lagos and the real progress we’re making in areas like transportation, housing, climate innovation, and industrial development. What truly made the session special was the engaging discussion with the brilliant students. Their insightful and thought-provoking questions, covering topics such as leadership, sustainable revenue generation, infrastructure renewal, and investment partnerships, showcased just how much interest there is in Africa’s urban transformation. Lagos is on the rise, not only in terms of growth but also in importance. We aim to be a shining example of how infrastructure can drive prosperity across the continent, and this reinforces that we’re heading in the right direction. Thank you, Harvard, for the warm hospitality and engaging conversation.

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