Nigeria’s education sector is reeling from a wave of crises—ranging from high-tech examination malpractice to school safety failures and policy disputes.
The developments have sparked fresh debate over standards, equity, and the future of learning in the country.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced sweeping investigations after exposing advanced forms of cheating in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
According to officials, some candidates deployed “image blending” techniques to merge their photos with impersonators, while others faked albinism to evade biometric screening or engaged in fingerprint-sharing schemes. As a result, 6,458 candidates are under investigation, nearly 40,000 results have been withheld, and over 3,000 have been cancelled outright.
JAMB also cracked down on abuses at prison-based CBT centers—temporarily suspending them before reinstating the centers under stricter rules that limit registration to eligible inmates.
Stakeholders are raising alarm over a surge in exploitative practices by private schools and tertiary institutions. Many of these institutions impose exorbitant fees while employing unqualified staff, with some reportedly withholding teachers’ salaries during holidays. Education experts warn the trend is eroding standards while deepening inequality.
Universities have also come under fire for restricting the use of Islamic veils. At Osun State University, affiliated with Ekiti State University, student Musliah Tunmise was barred from wearing her veil during physical education training. The policy forced her to abandon her dream of becoming a teacher. Critics argue such bans infringe on religious rights and call for more inclusive practices in higher education.
In February, tragedy struck Zamfara State when a fire swept through an Islamic school, killing at least 17 children and injuring dozens. Early reports linked the blaze to oral hygiene sticks stored near classrooms. President Bola Tinubu condemned the incident and ordered stricter enforcement of school safety standards nationwide.
Meanwhile, the scars of Boko Haram’s abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls remain fresh. More than a decade later, about 100 girls are still unaccounted for, despite international campaigns and negotiations. Survivors who returned often face stigma, while insecurity continues to haunt schools in northern Nigeria.
From JAMB’s crackdown on cyber-enabled fraud to the lingering trauma of Chibok, Nigeria’s education system faces a cocktail of threats—technological, cultural, economic, and security-related. Analysts say reform will require stronger regulation, better infrastructure, and policies that balance integrity with inclusivity.
