Popular Nigerian comedian and social justice advocate, Mr Macaroni, has taken a bold swipe at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), lambasting the examination body over the technical chaos and mass failure that marred the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The outspoken entertainer, known for lending his voice to national issues, took to social media platforms to condemn what he described as an “institutional failure,” highlighting how the exam glitches not only disrupted candidates’ performances but also toyed with their future.
“Over 1.5 million students scored below 200. Are you telling me they all didn’t read? Something is clearly wrong with the system,” Mr Macaroni tweeted, igniting a viral conversation online.
His outrage followed the release of UTME results that shocked the nation: out of 1.9 million registered candidates, a staggering majority scored below the average mark of 200 out of 400. For many students and parents, the figures were both unbelievable and devastating — prompting a flood of complaints, screenshots, and videos of malfunctioning computers and disorganized test centers.
Amid the uproar, JAMB attempted to quell the storm, announcing it had launched a high-level investigation into the matter. According to a statement from the board, a panel of IT experts and education stakeholders has been constituted to probe the technical anomalies reported during the nationwide exams. The board pledged to offer redress where necessary, including potential re-tests for affected candidates.
Still, Mr Macaroni wasn’t buying the damage-control narrative.m“The emotional and psychological toll on these young minds is immeasurable,” he said. “You cannot continue to play with the destiny of Nigerian students and expect silence.”
He called on JAMB to be more transparent and accountable, urging the board to disclose not just findings, but also preventive measures to avoid recurrence. His remarks have since echoed across social media, resonating with many parents, students, and educators who feel the system continues to fail those it was meant to serve.
Meanwhile, JAMB insists it is not sweeping any issues under the carpet. Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede assured the public that integrity remains the hallmark of the examination body, and that any candidate verifiably affected by technical faults will not be disadvantaged.
Still, for critics like Mr Macaroni, the matter goes beyond statistics and promises. It’s about trust — a trust that, once broken, demands more than words to rebuild.
As the investigation unfolds and corrective steps are anticipated, one thing remains clear: the 2025 UTME has sparked a national conversation not just about exams, but about equity, justice, and the future of education in Nigeria.
