Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate, has voiced his deep concern over the recently released results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in Nigeria. According to him, the figures paint a discouraging picture of the country’s struggling education system. In a statement released on his official social media page, Obi criticized the results, attributing them to the consequences of decades of underinvestment in education.
Obi emphasized that the poor performance of students in the examination highlights the deep-rooted structural challenges within Nigeria’s education system. He noted that the latest results from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, or JAMB, underscore the need for a significant overhaul of the country’s approach to education. “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,” Obi said.
To drive home his point, Obi drew comparisons with other countries, particularly Bangladesh and Turkey. He observed that Nigeria’s total university enrollment stands at approximately 2 million students, a figure that pales in comparison to other developing nations. The National University of Bangladesh, for instance, has over 3.4 million students, despite the country having only about 75% of Nigeria’s population. Similarly, Turkey, with a population of about 87.7 million, has over 7 million university students, more than three times Nigeria’s total enrollment.
Obi also highlighted the significant progress Bangladesh has made in recent years, surpassing Nigeria in key areas of development and the Human Development Index. “Bangladesh, which once lagged behind Nigeria in virtually every measurable development index, now surpasses us in all key areas of development and in the Human Development Index,” he added.
At the heart of Obi’s argument is the conviction that education should be viewed as a critical strategic investment, rather than merely a social service. He stressed that education is the most critical driver of national development and the most powerful tool for lifting people out of poverty. “We must now invest aggressively in education at all levels if we are serious about building a prosperous, secure, and equitable Nigeria,” he stated. Obi’s comments underscore the urgent need for Nigeria to re-examine its priorities and invest in its education system to ensure a brighter future for its citizens.
