JAMB Accuses 2025 UTME Top Scorer Of Identity Manipulation.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has levelled serious allegations against 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. Okeke, who achieved an impressive score of 375, has been thrust into the spotlight following revelations about inconsistencies in his personal and academic details.
JAMB’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed during the board’s 2025 Policy Meeting in Abuja that Okeke, initially celebrated for his academic prowess, is currently a 400-level medical student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). However, he registered for the 2025 UTME to pursue Mechanical Engineering at the University of Lagos, raising questions about his intentions. JAMB’s investigation revealed that Okeke, officially recorded as being from Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos State, allegedly altered his records to claim Anambra State as his origin, potentially to exploit different state admission quotas.
The board clarified that Okeke used Lagos State’s quota to secure his 2021 admission to UNN’s medical programme. His attempt to switch to Anambra’s quota in 2025 is viewed by JAMB as an effort to unfairly benefit from the quota system, undermining the fairness of the admission process. “The evidence suggests Chinedu altered his records prior to registering for the 2025 UTME,” JAMB stated, noting that even Okeke’s supporters have acknowledged these discrepancies.
Further complicating the matter, JAMB highlighted that Okeke’s dual enrolment—remaining an active medical student while seeking a new course—contravenes regulations prohibiting simultaneous matriculation. The board has contacted UNN, which confirmed Okeke’s ongoing status as a medical student, with no record of withdrawal. JAMB has also notified the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, requesting that Okeke be barred from practising medicine pending further investigation.
Defenders of Okeke, including education technology expert Alex Onyia, argue that the discrepancies stem from a 2021 data migration error involving the National Identification Number (NIN) platform, which was corrected through JAMB’s official process. Onyia also noted that Okeke was among candidates affected by a technical glitch in the 2025 UTME, requiring him to retake the exam, where he scored the highest mark. “Chinedu filled all required documents appropriately, and the inconsistencies were not his doing,” Onyia stated, urging JAMB to conduct a fair investigation.
JAMB, however, remains steadfast, emphasising its commitment to transparency and the integrity of the admission process. The board refuted claims of retrieving incorrect data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and stressed its reliance on verified candidate information. As the controversy unfolds, JAMB has promised to release further findings, while public debate continues over the balance between accountability and fairness in addressing Okeke’s case.
