JAMB Denies Targeting 2025 Top Scorer Chinedu Okeke Amid ‘Mercenary’ Allegations

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dismissed claims that it is unfairly targeting Chinedu Okeke, the highest scorer in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), who achieved an impressive 375 out of 400.

Controversy erupted after Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare, revealed that Okeke—currently a fourth-year medical student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka—was being accused of impersonation, with some alleging he acted as a “mercenary” by sitting for JAMB again in 2025. Onyia explained that Okeke had chosen to retake the exam in order to switch from medicine to mechanical engineering, as his interests no longer aligned with his current field.

The allegations sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians rallying behind Okeke and accusing JAMB of targeting him unfairly.

In response, JAMB issued a strongly worded statement rejecting the accusations as “emotional blackmail” and clarifying its stance. According to the Board, all official records indicate that Okeke is still a registered medical student at UNN and no updated information from the university has contradicted this.

“It is not true to say that Chinedu Okeke is from Anambra State,” JAMB stated. “All available records indicate that he is from Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area in Lagos State, where he sat for the 2021 UTME. Based on this, he was admitted to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and is currently in his fourth year.”

JAMB said that a review of Okeke’s student records showed no formal withdrawal from his medical program. This, the Board added, raises serious concerns about why a 400-level student would re-sit the UTME under a different state profile and seek a course change without following due process.

“The Board will continue to treat Chinedu with the dignity he deserves as a registered student of a Nigerian university. However, if and when UNN confirms otherwise, we will notify the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to consider delisting him,” the statement continued.

JAMB also accused Okeke of attempting to exploit admission quotas. “He took advantage of Lagos State’s quota in 2021, and now seeks to claim Anambra State’s slot in 2025 through altered details with NIMC,” it said.

Emphasizing its commitment to fairness and integrity, the Board added, “JAMB remains committed to ensuring that no candidate exploits loopholes for personal gain. We will not be swayed by the antics of attention-seekers. Our duty is to uphold merit and character as the basis for building Nigeria’s future.”