JAMB accusses Chinedu Okeke, Top Scorer of 2025 UTME of ‘Foul Play’

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has accused the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) top scorer, Chinedu Okeke, of a fake identity and admission fraud.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, on Tuesday at the 2025 policy meeting of the Board in Abuja, announced that Okeke, an indigene of Anambra, emerged the best candidate with 375 score in the examinations.

The Board also announced that John Ayuba from Gombe State came second in the examinations, scoring 374, while Olayinka Jimoh from Kwara State came third with 373.

Other top scorers are Ayibo Roberts from Rivers, Chibueze Omonugbo from Enugu, Tunmise Olawepo from Kwara, and Leslie Afinotan, from Delta, all scoring 373.

Also in the list of top scorers are Chukwuemeka Azoyenime from Delta, Emmanuel Oyebode from Ogun, and Cecil Omigie from Edo, all scoring 372 in the examinations.

The matter has since sparked debate online, with many demanding greater transparency in JAMB’s review process and protection for candidates wrongly accused.

• JAMB suspects foul play

The JAMB boss, however, stated that the Board made some discoveries regarding Okeke, who applied for Mechanical Engineering at the University of Lagos.

According to him, data from JAMB revealed that Okeke was admitted to study Medicine year ago in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

He said JAMB wrote UNN for clarification about the candidate, and the school revealed that Okeke is a student of the institution, and he is doing fine.

The matter has since sparked debate online, with many demanding greater transparency in JAMB’s review process and protection for candidates wrongly accused.

• JAMB’s integrity questioned

An education technology expert and CEO of Educare, Alex Onyia, took to the social media platform X to provide clarification, accusing the Board of unjustly casting doubt on the integrity of the Anambra-born student.

According to Onyia, Okeke was one of many candidates impacted by a technical glitch that disrupted the initial round of the 2025 UTME.

He was later scheduled for a repeat examination, where he achieved the highest score nationally.

“Chinedu filled all the required documents appropriately, and his updated details were transmitted to JAMB. The inconsistencies were not his doing,” Onyia explained, pointing to a 2021 error when incorrect information was pulled from Okeke’s National Identification Number (NIN) profile into JAMB’s system.

Concerning the discrepancies in admission, Onyia insisted that the discrepancies had been long resolved through JAMB’s official correction process.

“His profile page reflects the correct information,” he stated, urging the Board to conduct a fair investigation and issue an apology to Okeke for the reputational damage caused.

We’re committed to factual data and institutional accountability – JAMB

Meanwhile, responding to a wave of social media narratives surrounding the case of Chinedu Okeke, JAMB stressed its unwavering commitment to factual data and institutional accountability.

In a statement issued by JAMB’s Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Fabian Benjamin, the Board described recent commentaries defending Okeke as part of a disturbing trend where individuals elevate personal interests above due process, seeking to shield questionable actions rather than uphold truth.

He described Okeke as part of a disturbing trend where individuals elevate personal interests above due process, seeking to shield questionable actions rather than uphold truth.

Fabian explained that Okeke is not from Anambra State as widely claimed, but from Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area in Lagos State.

He used this Lagos-based identity in 2021 when he took the UTME and subsequently gained admission to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he is currently a 400-level student.

JAMB questioned why a student in his penultimate year of medical studies would suddenly attempt to switch identity and course to Mechanical Engineering in 2025, suggesting manipulation of personal records.

The Board explained that all candidate identities are authenticated using the National Identification Number (NIN), and it does not alter any candidate-provided data.

The claim that JAMB retrieved wrong data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in 2021 was categorically dismissed as false. Instead, the examination body said that evidence indicates that Okeke altered his previously submitted records before registering for the 2025 examination—an action acknowledged even by his own supporters.

JAMB expressed concern that, rather than seeking the facts from relevant institutions, social media campaigners chose to exploit emotional angles, including reaching out to the candidate’s family. As of now, the university where Okeke is enrolled has not issued any contrary statement.

Pending further verification, particularly from the university, JAMB said it would continue to treat Okeke as a legitimate student but would notify the Medical and Dental Council for possible action should the irregularities be confirmed.

The Board also accused Okeke of taking advantage of Lagos State’s admission quota in 2021 and attempting to claim Anambra State status in 2025 to benefit from a separate quota, effectively depriving rightful candidates in both states.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and rule-based operations, JAMB stated that it would not be deterred by public noise or sentimental advocacy.