Education
JAMB Goes After Deceptive High Scorers
By Sunday Isuwa
The shocking truth behind the fake high scores in the 2023 UTME exams has now unfolded, following the case of Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma and Dr Innocent Chukwuma’s involvement in this scandal.
In recent times, numerous publications in both print and online media have surfaced, celebrating certain candidates for achieving exceptional scores in the 2023 UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
However, the truth behind these supposed high scores is far from what it seems.
The JAMB Board has said that it feels compelled to set the record straight and make it abundantly clear that many of these candidates are parading fake results.
Contrary to the candidates claim, these individuals have actually obtained significantly lower scores and resorted to manipulative software packages to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
One particularly disheartening case is that of Miss Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, who boldly claimed to have achieved an impressive score of 362 in the 2023 UTME.
As a result of this claim, she was even promised a N3 million scholarship by Dr Innocent Chukwuma, the founder of Innoson Motors.
It was gathered that Anambra State Government was prepared to honour her, but before proceeding, a top official placed a call to JAMB to verify her score.
The shocking revelation unfolded when the Board disclosed that Miss Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma’s actual score was 249, far below her fraudulent claim.
Her cunning act aimed to fraudulently obtain a scholarship and other forms of recognition.
Regrettably, individuals like Mmesoma continue to deceive those who hastily bestow honors upon candidates without seeking confirmation from the JAMB Board.
Another similar case reported by Elanza News involved Atung Gerald from Kaduna, who asserted a remarkable score of 380.
His ethnic group advocated for special recognition, only to be let down by the Board’s irrefutable evidence that Atung had never even applied for the 2023 UTME, let alone sat for the examination.
To prevent further incidents of this nature, the JAMB Board urges the public to cross-verify candidates’ claims with the Board before rushing to honor them with undeserved awards.
It has come to light that certain software has been designed to fabricate results, leading sponsors and well-meaning individuals like Dr. Innocent, the founder of Innoson Motors, to unknowingly defraud good-hearted Nigerians who genuinely wish to celebrate academic excellence by investing in the education of deserving young Nigerians.
“We commend the efforts of individuals such as Dr Innocent Chukwuma and encourage other Nigerians who aspire to invest in the future of authentic talents to remain undeterred,” JAMB said, however, advised that it is crucial that good Nigerians always ensure they obtain the genuine results from the Board, just as the Anambra State Ministry of Education has done.
“Failure to do so, ” JAMB said, could inadvertently lead to the celebration of criminality, adding that the fraudulent trend gains traction.
“It is important to note that while these candidates manipulate their purported results, the genuine scores remain in the possession of the Board and will be transmitted to their respective chosen institutions at the appropriate time,” Dr Fabian Benjamin, the JAMB Head of Public Affairs, said while shedding more light on the case of Miss Mmesoma.
“She initially sent a message to the Board’s platform requesting her UTME result, only to manually inflate her scores and paste the fabricated outcome on the 2022 UTME result sheet.
“Unfortunately for her, she was unaware that the Board had altered the design of the 2023 UTME result sheet. As a result, her original score of 249 remains unchanged and cannot be manipulated. Miss Mmesoma will face prosecution for her ignoble actions, and her original result will be revoked,” he said.
This case is just the tip of the iceberg. Elanza News reports that the JAMB Board intends to launch a thorough investigation into all candidates who claim higher scores than they actually achieved.
“Once these discrepancies are uncovered, their original results will be immediately nullified, and the individuals involved will be handed over to the relevant security agencies for prosecution,” Benjamin said.
It is essential for both candidates and the public to understand the gravity of these fraudulent practices. The integrity of the UTME exams is crucial for maintaining a fair and merit-based education system. Falsifying results not only undermines the credibility of the examination process but also jeopardizes the future opportunities of genuinely deserving candidates.
To prevent falling victim to such deceitful acts, aspiring candidates and their sponsors should exercise due diligence.
Here are some recommended steps to ensure authenticity and avoid being deceived
Verify with the JAMB Board: Before celebrating or granting awards based on high scores, always verify the results with the official JAMB Board. They have accurate and authenticated records to confirm the candidates’ achievements.
Cross-check Application Documents
Ensure that candidates have the necessary application documents, including registration and examination slips. Lack of these essential documents raises suspicions about the authenticity of the claimed results.
Communicate with the Appropriate Authorities
Reach out to the relevant educational institutions or state ministries of education to validate candidates’ achievements. These authorities can provide additional confirmation and prevent falling victim to false claims.
Scrutinize Result Sheets
Examine the result sheets carefully. Look for any signs of tampering or inconsistencies. Fake results may contain irregularities that can be detected upon close examination.
Support Genuine Academic Excellence
Instead of hastily rewarding unverified claims, focus on celebrating and supporting authentic academic achievements. Promote scholarship programs, educational initiatives, and investments in the future of deserving students through trusted channels.
By following these precautionary measures, we can collectively combat the proliferation of fake high scores and safeguard the credibility of the education system. It is imperative that we uphold the values of honesty, integrity, and meritocracy to ensure a fair and equitable future for all Nigerian students.
Remember, true success lies in genuine accomplishments, not in deceiving others or resorting to fraudulent tactics. Let us work together to promote a culture of honesty and transparency in the pursuit of education.
Barring any last minute change of plans, the National Working Committee, (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is expected to meet today at the party headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
The meeting even though the regular gathering of the National Working Committee, is expected to take some far reaching decisions in view of the prevailing situation in the party.
Also, the meeting is coming on the heels of the defection of the party’s former Vice Presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, alongside Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other key party members, who were formally received to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday. This is one of the largest defections the PDP has faced in recent years.
In addition to the situation in Delta, there has been an increasing exodus of high-profile members from the party, a result of the ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP.
Agenda for today’s meeting
Reliable sources have informed Daily Trust that today’s meeting will discuss, and possibly confirm, the proposed May 27th date for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. The NEC session, which has been postponed multiple times, is now slated for that date following a resolution by the PDP Governors Forum.
During their most recent meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, the governors decided to collaborate with the NWC and other relevant organs of the party to ensure the NEC meeting takes place on 27th May, 2025.
Another key issue on the agenda is the leadership vacuum in Delta State following the departure of key party figures. Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum has proposed the establishment of a caretaker committee to continue managing the party’s affairs in the state.
Speaking at the party headquarters last Thursday during the presentation of a certificate of return to Ezenwafor Jude, the PDP’s candidate for the upcoming Anambra State governorship election, Damagum said: “We will immediately take over our structures by setting up a caretaker committee. We are still taking stock, but this will be done promptly. I also want to remind our members in Delta and across the country about what happened in 2023. Obi had no governor but still managed to gather significant votes, which impacted the ordinary man’s livelihood. The decision is ultimately in their hands. This election is between the APC and the people.”
Ongoing controversy over national secretaryship
Despite a Supreme Court ruling on the matter, controversy continues over the position of National Secretary within the PDP. Senator Samuel Anyanwu maintains he is still the party’s National Secretary, while the governors have appointed Setonji Koshoedo, the Deputy National Secretary, as acting Secretary.
At the last meeting in Ibadan, the governors reiterated that the court had granted the party the authority to appoint its leaders and instructed the South-East Caucus to nominate a candidate for the position, which would then be ratified by the NEC before assuming office.
The governors had earlier approved Koshoedo as acting National Secretary. Damagum, a known ally of Anyanwu, has instructed the National Secretariat staff to recognise Koshoedo as acting Secretary and provide the necessary support.
A memo signed by Alhaji Gurama Bawa, Head of Administration for the acting Chairman, clarified this decision, stating that Koshoedo would remain as Acting National Secretary “until further notice.”
The memo further directed all party correspondences to be sent to Koshoedo and asked staff to cooperate fully with him in his temporary capacity.
PDP will reorganise, says Osadolor
Timothy Osadolor, a prominent PDP chieftain, told Daily Trust that the party is working to restore order, urging leadership to take firm action to move the party forward.
He commented on the upcoming NWC meeting: “The party is expected to take a position on recent defections, reassess the state of the party across the country, and communicate its stance. They will also review preparations for the 2027 elections.”
Osadolor addressed the situation in Delta, saying: “When people prioritise personal comfort over integrity and national interests, this is the outcome. The sacrifices needed for democracy to thrive must be made by all. However, this experience serves as a lesson. We will be more discerning in selecting those entrusted with leadership positions in the future.”
Despite the ongoing defections, Osadolor remains confident that the party will weather the storm. “The PDP has endured worse crises. Former vice presidents have left the party, but it did not collapse. The electorate remains our strongest ally. They have repeatedly proven their support for the PDP.”
He further suggested that those with divided loyalties should leave the party, allowing those with clear intentions to take their place. “It is essential that the party does not shy away from taking tough decisions to maintain its integrity,” he added.
Ojo calls for action among opposition parties
Political analyst, Dr Jide Ojo, also weighed in on the situation, urging opposition parties to resolve their internal issues quickly.
He stated: “If the opposition parties are to blame the APC for attracting their members, they must first acknowledge their own shortcomings. Every political party has internal conflicts, but how the PDP, Labour Party, and others manage these issues is crucial.”
Ojo pointed to the crisis within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), where internal disputes have led to the expulsion of party leader Rabiu Kwankwaso and the defection of elected members to the APC in Kano. He also noted ongoing tensions in the Labour Party, where Julius Abure continues to claim the position of chairman despite being contested by other factions.
Ojo questioned the PDP’s leadership structure, pointing out the confusion surrounding the National Secretary position. “The party has an acting National Chairman and acting National Secretary, yet they are reluctant to conduct congresses and convene a national convention. This indecision is hurting the party’s credibility.”
He suggested that many opposition parties serve as “special purpose vehicles” used to attain power without fostering lasting unity or cohesion. “Political parties must develop robust conflict resolution mechanisms if they wish to retain their members and prevent them from crossing over to the ruling party,” he argued.
Reflecting on the broader political landscape, Ojo emphasised that the tactics being employed by the APC are not new. “The PDP did the same during its 16 years in power. Any party in government will attempt to weaken the opposition by poaching its members,” he said.
Ojo also criticised Atiku Abubakar’s efforts to form a coalition, claiming that his personal ambitions are preventing the opposition from uniting. “Atiku’s desire to be the presidential candidate for any coalition he forms is the root cause of the lack of support from the party’s governors. This is why they are not backing his plans.”
A total of 92 visually impaired candidates participated in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) at the Kano centre.
Prof. Muhammad Yahuza-Bello, JAMB Coordinator for the Kano centre, made the announcement while monitoring the exercise on Monday.
The examination took place at the School of Continuing Education, Bayero University Kano (BUK), under the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) initiative for candidates with special needs.
Yahuza-Bello, a former vice-chancellor of BUK, explained that the 92 candidates were drawn from Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna States.
He added that among the candidates, two had Down syndrome, while two others had autism.
The candidates, both male and female, were provided with specialized gadgets such as typewriters, braille machines, slates, styluses, and paper to facilitate their participation in the exams.
The coordinator also said over 500 candidates with special needs-ranging from visual impairments and albinism to Down syndrome and autism-had registered to take the exam at 11 centres across the country.
He said, unlike regular Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centres where candidates interact with screens and keyboards, special needs candidates benefit from adaptive materials to eliminate barriers to education.
Since its introduction in 2017, JEOG has seen positive results, with an increasing number of special needs candidates gaining admission into tertiary institutions.
Yahuza-Bello pointed out that while approximately 25% of regular candidates gain admission, over 33% of special needs candidates are successful in securing placements.
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The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, has announced the release of ₦50 billion by the Federal Government to the academic and non-academic staff unions of federal universities for the settlement of earned allowances, as promised by President Bola Tinubu.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo.
Boriowo described the move “as yet another testament to Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to fundamentally transform Nigeria’s education sector.
“It reflects the administration’s bold resolve to transition the nation from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy through strategic investments in education, infrastructure, and human capital.
“This intervention is not just a financial transaction—it is a reaffirmation of our President’s belief in the capacity of Nigerian youth and the invaluable role that academic and non-academic staff play in nurturing them,” she quoted the minister as saying.
“By prioritising their welfare, we are laying the foundation for a future where every Nigerian child receives highly qualitative and globally competitive education,” she added.
Alausa expressed Tinubu’s heartfelt appreciation to the academic and non-academic unions for their sustained trust in his administration and for fostering an atmosphere of peace and cooperation across Nigeria’s federal institutions.
“Notably, the country is currently experiencing one of the longest uninterrupted academic sessions in recent history—a feat attributed to the mutual understanding and shared commitment between the government and the university community,” the statement read.