Lagos parents express concern over poor UTME performance

Parents in Lagos have expressed deep concern and disappointment over the poor performance recorded in the recently concluded 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), attributing the trend to various social, economic, and systemic issues.

The reactions follow the release of the UTME performance statistics by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Monday. According to the data, out of 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the examination, only 0.63% scored 300 and above, while the majority fell within the 160–199 range, accounting for over 50% of the total candidates.

Several parents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) cited the decline in reading culture, the influence of social media, economic hardship, and poor teacher quality as key factors responsible for the underwhelming results.

Mr. Oluwaseun Oluwajuwon, a cybersecurity expert, blamed the decline on a lack of seriousness among students. “Many students today prioritize social media and entertainment over studying. Parents must do more to guide their children and ensure they embrace proper moral and academic discipline,” he said.

Pharmacist Mrs. Saidat Oduwole highlighted economic constraints and declining education standards. “The poor state of the economy is making it harder for students to access textbooks and learning resources. This affects overall performance,” she noted.

Similarly, businesswoman Mrs. Ifunanya Bello pointed to unqualified teachers in the system. “Many schools employ untrained teachers, and this undermines the quality of education. Without competent instructors, students can’t be expected to perform well,” she said.

Educationist Mrs. Adetoro Bello stressed the distracting effect of social media on students. “The grip of digital platforms on our youths is alarming. It has significantly eroded their academic focus,” she said.

Another parent, Mr. Olufisayo Anthony, called on JAMB to address technical hitches experienced during the examination. “Some candidates complained about glitches while taking the exam. JAMB must ensure smooth operations to avoid jeopardizing students’ chances,” he urged.

Mr. Stephen Olatunbosun, a fashion designer, placed the blame on the candidates themselves. “Some students are not committed. In fact, some aim to fail deliberately to seek admission abroad or into private universities,” he alleged.

The widespread concerns highlight the urgent need for educational reforms, parental engagement, and stronger support systems to help students perform better in future national examinations.