A seasoned Nigerian biology teacher, John Felix Obuighkem, has taken to social media to express his disbelief and disappointment after receiving an unexpectedly low score in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Despite having a university degree in biology and nearly two decades of teaching experience, Obuighkem revealed that he scored just 37 in the biology section of the exam — a result he strongly disputes.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, the educator questioned the integrity of the results released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and called for an immediate review of his score.
“Someone should please reach out to Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the JAMB Registrar. My result needs to be reviewed,” he wrote. “Anyone who knows me can attest that it’s simply impossible for me to score this low.”
Obuighkem, visibly distressed, explained that during his early years as a student seeking university admission, he never scored below 200 — even when the UTME was considered more rigorous.
“Back then, when JAMB questions were really tough, I still managed solid scores. Now, in a period where questions include simple grammar like concord and possessive pronouns, you’re telling me I got a 37 in biology?”
The teacher, who proudly identifies himself as a “Leki headmaster,” claimed he answered nearly all questions correctly and believes there might have been an error in the marking or result computation.
“How is it possible that I, with a first degree in biology and 18 years of teaching experience, scored only 37 in the very subject I specialize in?”
Obuighkem appealed passionately to JAMB officials and the public to support his call for a re-evaluation of his result, emphasizing that he is not questioning the system without reason, but seeking clarity for what appears to be an unexplained anomaly.
Public Reaction and Broader Implications
The post has since gone viral, attracting mixed reactions. While many sympathized with his plight and joined his call for transparency, others urged calm, advising him to formally request a remark through JAMB’s official channels.
Education stakeholders say cases like Obuighkem’s underscore the importance of thorough reviews and error-checking mechanisms in large-scale standardized testing.
The incident has also reignited conversations about examination integrity, fairness, and the confidence educators and candidates place in national testing systems.
As of now, JAMB has not officially responded to his complaint.
