Abuja – Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed deep concern over the recently released results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), describing them as a stark reflection of the structural failures in Nigeria’s education system.
Reacting via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Obi attributed the poor performance to years of inadequate investment in the education sector, which he said should be central to Nigeria’s national development strategy.
“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 stated.
He pointed out that Nigeria’s university enrollment figures remain significantly low compared to other developing nations. Citing examples, Obi noted that while Nigeria has approximately 2 million university students, Bangladesh’s National University alone accounts for over 3.4 million students—despite the country having just 75% of Nigeria’s population.
He also referenced Turkey, which, with a population of about 87.7 million, boasts more than 7 million students in higher education—more than three times Nigeria’s total enrollment.
“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 (HDI),” he said.
Reiterating his long-standing advocacy for educational reform, Obi emphasized that education should not be viewed merely as a social service, but rather as a strategic investment essential for national progress.
“Education is the most critical driver of national development and the most powerful tool for lifting people out of poverty,” he said. “We must now invest aggressively in education at all levels if we are serious about building a prosperous, secure, and equitable Nigeria.”
