The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed concern over the poor performance of candidates in the recently released Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results.
According to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), out of the 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the exam, over 1.5 million scored below 200. Only 4,756 candidates scored above 320, while 7,658 scored between 300 and 319.
Reacting via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi said the dismal performance reflects the longstanding and systemic issues in Nigeria’s education sector. The former governor of Anambra State attributed the trend to inadequate investment in education and called for urgent reforms.
“This outcome is a direct consequence of our continued neglect of the education sector,” Obi said. “Education is not merely a social service — it is a strategic investment. It remains the most critical driver of national development and the most effective tool for lifting people out of poverty.”
He urged the federal and state governments to prioritize funding and reform at all levels of education.
“If we are truly committed to building a secure, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria, we must invest aggressively in education across the board,” he added.
Obi has consistently advocated for educational reforms and has called for policy shifts that focus on quality instruction, infrastructure, and equitable access to learning opportunities.
