The Latest JAMB Results Once Again Highlight The Consequences Of Decades Of Underinvestment In Education – Peter Obi

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s former presidential candidate, has voiced deep concern regarding the recently published results of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), labeling them as a stark reflection of the deteriorating state of Nigeria’s education system.

After examining the official statistics, Obi pointed out that among the 1,955,069 candidates who took the exam, only approximately 420,000 achieved scores above 200, while over 1.5 million scored below this benchmark.

“This means that over 78 percent of the total candidates failed to meet the 200 mark threshold, a reflection of the deep rooted challenges in our educational system,” he said.

He attributed the issue to prolonged neglect and insufficient funding in the education sector. “The latest JAMB results once again highlight the consequences of decades of underinvestment in education, a sector that should be central to our national development strategy,” he said.

Drawing comparisons with other nations’ education systems, Obi remarked, “Currently, Nigeria’s total university enrollment stands at approximately 2 million students. By comparison, the National University of Bangladesh, a single university, has over 3.4 million students enrolled, despite the country having only about 75 percent of Nigeria’s population. One university in Bangladesh surpasses the entire university enrollment in Nigeria.”

He went on to highlight Bangladesh’s progress, stating, “Bangladesh, which once lagged behind Nigeria in virtually every measurable development index, now surpasses us in all key areas of development and in the Human Development Index.”

He also cited Turkey as a further example, noting, “Turkey, with a population of about 87.7 million people, has over 7 million university students, more than three times Nigeria’s total university enrollment.”

Obi reaffirmed his long-held perspective on education’s role in national progress. “I have consistently said it, education is not just a social service, it is a strategic investment. It is the most critical driver of national development and the most powerful tool for lifting people out of poverty.”

He urged Nigerian authorities to take immediate action to prioritize education. “We must now invest aggressively in education at all levels if we are serious about building a prosperous, secure, and equitable Nigeria.”

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli