By Atoyebi Nike
Okeke Chinedu from Anambra State, who emerged as the highest scorer in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) with a total of 375, is now at the centre of a controversy over a previously undisclosed university admission.
The development came to light on Tuesday when Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), raised concerns over discrepancies in Okeke’s academic record during the 2025 JAMB Policy Meeting held in Abuja.
According to Oloyede, Okeke who applied to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Lagos—was already admitted four years ago into the Department of Medicine at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
“JAMB had to contact UNN for verification,” Oloyede said. “The university confirmed that Okeke was duly admitted and is currently doing well in the medical programme.”
He added that there was no record indicating whether Okeke was withdrawn or had left the programme at UNN. The registrar further disclosed that the board has alerted the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to ensure Okeke does not get licensed to practice medicine under questionable circumstances.
JAMB’s findings raise questions about academic integrity and dual enrollment, as the candidate appears to be navigating two different university admission paths simultaneously.
In addition to Okeke, the board also announced other top scorers in the 2025 UTME. Ayuba Simon-Peter followed closely with a score of 374, while Jimoh Abdulmalik, Roberts Damiete, Ononugbo Chigozirim, Olawepo Gertrude, Afinotan Leslie, Azoyenime Samuel, and Oyebode Oluwapelumi all scored 373.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, reiterated during the policy meeting that the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria remains 16 years.
The unfolding situation with Okeke has stirred debate over student accountability, university transparency, and the role of regulatory bodies in upholding the standards of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
