The controversy surrounding the 2025 UTME intensified following the reported suicide of 19-year-old Timilehin Faith Opesusi, who scored 190 in the examination. Opesusi, originally from Abeokuta but living with her elder sibling in Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos State, was described by neighbours as “gentle and humble.”
According to reports by *The Guardian*, she ingested rodent poison on Monday after reportedly expressing distress over her exam score. Witnesses said she had visited her sister’s workplace asking for palm oil to counteract the effects of what she had taken at home. Her sister, sensing something was wrong, raised an alarm, which drew neighbours to the scene. While being rushed to the hospital, she allegedly admitted to taking poison. She was confirmed dead at Kolak Hospital in Odogunyan.
Shortly after her passing, a provisional admission notification reportedly arrived in her Gmail inbox. Her remains were taken to Abeokuta for burial.JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed during a press conference in Abuja that over 1.9 million candidates participated in the 2025 UTME. He said 80 individuals were under investigation for various examination-related offences, with Anambra State recording the highest number of suspects at 14.
He also revealed that 467 underage candidates scored above the minimum benchmark, while 50 candidates had been identified in connection with cheating. A total of 39,834 results are being withheld over exam malpractice concerns. Data from JAMB indicates that only 12,414 candidates — 0.63 per cent — scored above 300. Additionally, 420,415 candidates, or 22 per cent, scored above 200, while 78 per cent fell below the 200 mark.
The widespread dissatisfaction over the results prompted calls for a comprehensive review. In response, JAMB announced an internal audit process.A circular dated May 13, 2025, was sent to Mr. Alex Onyia, CEO of education technology firm EDUCARE, inviting him to join a newly formed review panel to assess the conduct of the UTME. The circular emphasized the board’s intention to restore public trust in the examination process.
“The Management of the Board has approved your participation to be part of the review panel constituted to appraise the conduct of the examination with the mandate to identify challenges, if there are any, and proffer relevant recommendations to prevent a recurrence,” the letter stated. Signed by Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, the circular confirmed the panel will meet on Thursday, May 15, 2025, and will include representatives from various education bodies, including ANCOPSS, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Vice Chancellors of Universities, Rectors of Polytechnics, and Provosts of Colleges of Education.
JAMB specified that panel members would serve without financial compensation from the board. This decision follows a prior stance by JAMB, where the board defended the low results, stating they accurately reflected the candidates’ academic capabilities and denied any errors in the grading process.
Source : https://saharareporters.com/
