JAMB’s decline: Are Nigerian students losing hope in education?

DDM News

The performance of Nigerian students in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams has seen a consistent decline over the years, raising concerns about the quality of education and the future of the nation’s academic standards.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM) reports, from 2007 to 2025, the percentage of students scoring 200 and above in the exam has dropped significantly, painting a troubling picture for the country’s educational system.

DDM has expressed deep concern over the implications of this decline, emphasizing the need for immediate attention from policymakers and education stakeholders.

In 2007, 66% of students who sat for the JAMB exams achieved scores of 200 and above, marking a relatively strong performance.

However, this figure began to drop in subsequent years, with 63% of candidates achieving similar results in 2008.

The downward trend continued in the years that followed, with only 41% of students scoring 200 and above in 2010.

By 2015, this number had further decreased to 30%, and in 2019, just 24% of students scored 200 and above.

As the years have gone by, the situation has become even more alarming.

In 2023, only 23% of students managed to score 200 or above, and the most recent results from 2025 show a mere 22% passing the 200 mark.

If this trend continues, experts predict that by 2035, the call for the abolition of the JAMB examination could become louder.

Students may no longer see it as a necessary hurdle in their academic journey, and the educational system could face even greater challenges in terms of standards and credibility.

This decline in JAMB performance raises serious concerns about the quality of education in Nigeria.

Critics argue that the country’s education system is in a state of crisis, with many students failing to meet the minimum requirements for university entry.

Most of these students, who fail JAMB and still gain admission into higher institutions, often exhibit behaviors that suggest they lack basic educational foundations.

The alarming trend suggests that some of these students may not have acquired the skills and knowledge expected of them at primary or secondary school levels.

The erosion of education standards is not only a reflection of the declining JAMB performance but also points to a broader issue within Nigeria’s education system.

The country’s educational framework appears to be in a state of coma, with little to no significant improvement in academic achievements despite reforms and policy interventions.

The rising number of students unable to meet the required standard for university admission highlights the urgent need for substantial reforms to address these systemic issues.

The rise of what some have called the “Yahoo Generation,” a term used to describe young Nigerians who engage in cybercrimes, further underscores the growing disconnect between education and societal development.

If the current trend continues unchecked, the future may see a generation of Nigerians with little to no regard for academic achievement, replacing education with shortcuts to success.

The future of Nigeria’s education system rests on urgent reform.

If measures are not taken to arrest the decline, it is feared that the country may face a permanent collapse in its educational standards.

By 2050, university entry requirements might be reduced to something as simple as spelling one’s father’s name, a stark contrast to the rigorous academic standards that once defined Nigeria’s higher education system.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) was established in 1978 to oversee university admissions in Nigeria, providing a standardized assessment for students seeking higher education.

The exam serves as a critical entry point to Nigerian universities, and a student’s performance often determines their eligibility for university admission.

Over the years, JAMB has faced criticism for the high level of competition it creates, with many students unable to meet the minimum requirements.

Despite various attempts at reform, the decline in performance signals deeper problems within the country’s education system that need immediate attention.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook