Amanze ChinonyeThe Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has come under criticism as it responds to accusations involving Chinedu Okeke, the top scorer of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Okeke, who scored an impressive 375 points, has been accused of altering his identity and manipulating his academic records in an attempt to gain multiple admissions into Nigerian universities.
Chinedu Okeke, a medical student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has become a figure of national interest following his extraordinary 2025 UTME score. Despite being a 400-level student studying Medicine and Surgery, Okeke applied for a change of course to Mechanical Engineering for the 2025 academic session. This move has raised alarms at JAMB, which has questioned the legitimacy of his intentions and his recent attempt to change his state of origin.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelJAMB officials have raised concerns about Okeke’s apparent bid to switch from his current course of study to a new programme at the University of Lagos in 2025, despite already being deep into his medical studies. The board claims that the candidate has been involved in manipulating personal details, including changing his state of origin and course of study.
According to a statement from Dr Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Okeke is not from Anambra State, as he had previously claimed, but from Amuwo-Odofin in Lagos. This discrepancy, JAMB alleges, is part of a larger attempt to exploit state admission quotas. In 2021, Okeke used the Lagos identity to gain admission into the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, under the Lagos state quota. However, for the 2025 UTME, Okeke allegedly sought to claim Anambra’s quota to increase his chances of admission elsewhere.
JAMB has refuted claims that there was any error with Okeke’s data in 2021, explaining that all candidate information is verified through the National Identification Number (NIN) system. The board dismissed reports that incorrect data was retrieved from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and reiterated that Okeke himself altered his records prior to registering for the 2025 UTME.
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In his defense, Okeke’s supporters, including education technology expert Alex Onyia, argued that the discrepancies were due to a system glitch during the 2025 UTME, which affected several candidates. Onyia contends that Okeke followed the proper data correction process and that his updated records were accurately transmitted to JAMB.
Despite these claims, JAMB remains firm in its stance, accusing Okeke of attempting to take advantage of state quotas to further his academic ambitions unfairly. The board expressed its disappointment over the emotional narratives circulating on social media in Okeke’s defense, noting that these efforts sought to shield what they believe to be unethical actions.
As of now, the University of Nigeria has not issued a statement contradicting JAMB’s claims. Pending further clarification from the university, JAMB has stated that it will continue to treat Okeke as a legitimate student but will notify the Medical and Dental Council should the allegations be substantiated.
JAMB reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, emphasizing that it will not be swayed by public sentiment or emotional advocacy. The board insists it will continue to uphold the integrity of the admission process to ensure fairness for all candidates, stressing that it remains dedicated to safeguarding the future of Nigerian education.
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