The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has launched a probe into alleged irregularities involving Chinedu Okeke, the top scorer in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), accusing him of manipulating his identity and academic records to secure multiple university admissions.
According to JAMB, Okeke, who scored the highest mark in the 2025 UTME, is currently a 400-level medical student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), having previously gained admission into the institution after sitting for the UTME in 2021.
In a detailed statement, JAMB revealed that Okeke had presented conflicting personal data across different registration years. While his records with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and JAMB show he is from Amuwo-Odofin in Lagos State, he registered for the 2025 UTME as an indigene of Anambra State.
“This clearly indicates an attempt to manipulate the system,” JAMB said, adding that he used the Lagos quota in 2021 to gain admission and tried to switch to the Anambra quota in 2025 to enjoy further advantages.
The Board also questioned why a student already studying Medicine and Surgery would sit for another UTME to pursue a course in Mechanical Engineering.
JAMB alleged too that Okeke altered his state of origin and other key details to facilitate another admission process while retaining his current student status at UNN.
“These acts point to a deliberate attempt to game the system by exploiting the quota-based admission policy,” JAMB added.
However, the allegations have sparked widespread reactions online, with many education advocates coming to Okeke’s defence. Among them is Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare, who argued that the accusations are unfounded and result from technical inconsistencies within JAMB’s own system.
“Chinedu appropriately updated his data through proper channels. JAMB’s response seems more like emotional blackmail than a factual case of fraud,” Onyia stated.
Critics have also questioned why retaking the UTME, a practice common among students seeking course changes should be grounds for punitive action, especially in the absence of proven malpractice.
While reactions continue to trail the case, JAMB insists it will uphold fairness and transparency in the admission process and has promised to release additional findings as its investigation Progresses.
(Independent)
