Tinubu’s Integrity Policy Caused Mass UTME Failures — Education Minister Alausa Blames Students, Sidesteps Systemic Issues.
The Minister of State for Education, Tunji Alausa, has linked the mass failure in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to President Bola Tinubu’s integrity policy, sparking criticism and controversy across education circles in Nigeria.
In an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday, Mr Alausa stated that the administration’s zero-tolerance for exam malpractice was the primary reason why over 1.5 million students failed to score above 200 in the UTME — the minimum benchmark widely considered competitive for tertiary admission.
Mass Failure Breakdown
According to data released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB):
- Total UTME Candidates (2025): 1,955,069
- Candidates Scoring Above 200: 420,000
- Percentage Scoring Below 200: ~78.5%
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Minister Blames Students, Defends Tinubu’s Policy
Mr Alausa insisted that the results reflect a “new era” of integrity in Nigeria’s education system.
“That’s a big concern, and it’s a reflection of exams being done the proper way. JAMB has eliminated fraud or cheating with its computer-based testing system,” said Mr Alausa.
He further implied that students who failed did so because they relied on corrupt practices, particularly during previous exams like WAEC and NECO, where security measures are reportedly lax.
“People cheat during WAEC and NECO and then face JAMB, where cheating is nearly impossible. That’s the disparity we’re seeing,” the minister added.
Public Outcry and Expert Reactions
The minister’s remarks have drawn strong backlash from education stakeholders, analysts, and parents, who argue that blaming students while overlooking deeper structural problems is irresponsible and dismissive.
Key Structural Issues Ignored:
- Outdated curriculum
- Shortage of qualified teachers and instructors
- Decrepit classroom infrastructure
- Lack of learning materials and laboratories
- Disrupted school calendars due to insecurity and religious holidays
“Recently, schools were closed for up to one month in many states in Northern Nigeria due to the Ramadan fast,” said an education analyst who spoke anonymously. “You cannot expect students with reduced contact hours and poor academic resources to compete fairly.”
‘Miracle Centres’ and the Integrity Debate
Mr Alausa also condemned so-called “miracle centres”, which have become notorious for organised cheating during WAEC and NECO.
“The worst part of cheating is that it disincentivises the hard-working ones,” he lamented, adding that technology must be adopted across the board to eliminate fraud.
While his concern about exam malpractice was acknowledged, critics pointed out that the focus on integrity without fixing the systemic rot only punishes the innocent majority.
A One-Sided Analysis?
Observers say Mr Alausa’s comments reflect a growing pattern of government officials shifting responsibility to the youth while evading accountability for years of neglect in the education sector.
“It’s an easy escape to blame students. But how do you explain poor internet access, power outages during CBT exams, or inadequate funding for public schools?” questioned Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, a senior lecturer at a federal university.
A Wake-Up Call or Policy Misstep?
While the 2025 UTME results may highlight progress in curbing malpractice, they have also exposed widespread academic unpreparedness and systemic inequality. Many argue that President Tinubu’s integrity policy — though commendable — must be matched with real investment in education reform if lasting impact is to be achieved.
