The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is facing backlash after accusing Chinedu Okeke, the highest scorer in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), of irregularities regarding his application.
Okeke, who applied to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Lagos, scored 375 out of a possible 400 in the Computer-Based Test. However, JAMB has raised concerns, claiming he is already registered in its system as a fourth-year Medical student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, said the board reached out to UNN, which confirmed Okeke is indeed an active student in the Medicine and Surgery programme.
The development has sparked criticism online, with many accusing the board of attempting to discredit the candidate. Among the critics is Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare, who argued that Okeke is from Anambra State and followed all the necessary procedures. According to Onyia, the confusion stems from JAMB allegedly importing incorrect data from Okeke’s National Identity Number (NIN) record, which was tied to his 2021 JAMB profile. He said the error had already been corrected on Okeke’s profile and submitted to JAMB back in 2021. Since 2021, JAMB has required NIN for UTME registration to ensure consistent and traceable records for all candidates.
In response, JAMB reiterated that it bases its operations strictly on verified data and maintained that the candidate’s NIN-linked record shows he hails from Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area in Lagos State, the same area where he sat for the UTME in 2021. The board insists there is no evidence yet contradicting the record of Okeke being an enrolled student at UNN.
AMB added that unless it recei6ves official confirmation from UNN that Okeke has withdrawn, it will continue to treat him as a legitimate student and will notify the Medical and Dental Council if any changes arise. The board also emphasized that discrepancies in Okeke’s data have raised serious concerns.
JAMB clarified that identity verification relies on information sourced from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), which it does not alter. It rejected claims that it mistakenly retrieved incorrect information from NIMC in 2021, suggesting instead that Okeke may have updated his details before his 2025 UTME registration. The board concluded that some of the arguments being made in support of Okeke are misinformed and possibly intended to shield him from scrutiny.
Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/
