Peter Obi Urges Urgent Education Reforms After Mass Failure in 2025 UTME

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised the alarm over the state of Nigeria’s education system following the dismal performance in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Reacting to the results, Obi described the situation as a reflection of deep-rooted issues that have long plagued the country’s education sector.

In a statement shared via his official social media accounts on Tuesday, Obi cited data from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which showed that over 78% of the 1.95 million candidates scored below 200 out of 400. Only around 420,000 students were able to reach or surpass the 200 mark, a score widely considered necessary for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

“This result is not an indictment of our students’ abilities,” Obi said. “It reveals the consistent failure of our educational system to provide them with the tools they need to succeed.”

Obi linked the mass failure to chronic underinvestment in education, arguing that the long-term neglect of the sector is now having severe consequences. “The latest JAMB results once again highlight the consequences of decades of underinvestment in education, a sector that should be central to our national development strategy,” he noted.

Drawing comparisons with other nations, Obi highlighted how countries like Bangladesh and Turkey, once lagging behind Nigeria in development metrics, have now surged ahead due to targeted investments in education. He pointed out that Turkey, with a population of 87.7 million, has over seven million students enrolled in universities—far exceeding Nigeria’s figures.

Obi emphasized that education should be seen as a national development priority rather than a mere public service. “Education is not just a social service; it is a strategic investment. It is the most critical driver of national development and the most powerful tool for lifting people out of poverty,” he stressed.

Calling for immediate action, Obi urged the government to commit to large-scale reforms at every level of education—from primary to tertiary. He advocated for improved funding, stronger policies, and a curriculum overhaul to ensure relevance and quality. “We cannot continue on the current trajectory and expect different outcomes,” he said. “If we are serious about building a prosperous, secure, and equitable Nigeria, then we must act now to rebuild and reposition our education system.”

His remarks have reignited national debate over the declining state of education and the urgent need for a policy shift to secure Nigeria’s future.