In a surprising development that has sparked nationwide debate, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has formally accused 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) top scorer Chinedu Okeke of attempting to manipulate his identity during the exam registration process. The board’s announcement came late Tuesday evening, just days after Okeke’s remarkable score of 375 the highest recorded this year was publicly celebrated.


According to an official JAMB statement, an internal review flagged irregularities in the biographical data Okeke submitted when registering for the UTME. The board claims certain details namely date of birth and biometric matches did not align with national identification records. “Preliminary checks suggest identity discrepancies that warrant further investigation,” the statement read, without elaborating on the specific nature of the mismatches.


While JAMB insists it has “credible leads” indicating possible fraud, it conceded that its evidence remains inconclusive. Board officials say they have referred the case to their examination malpractice panel, which will convene early next week to examine fingerprints, image scans, and registration logs. The board has temporarily withheld formal recognition of Okeke’s score pending the outcome of this probe.



Chinedu Okeke, a 17-year-old science student from Enugu State, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. In a statement released through his family, he described the allegations as “baseless and deeply distressing,” insisting that he personally completed every step of the registration and testing process. Okeke’s father, Mr. Emeka Okeke, called on JAMB to expedite its review, saying, “My son’s reputation and future are at stake. We welcome a fair, transparent investigation and are confident he will be exonerated.”


The announcement has divided opinion on social media. Some netizens argue that JAMB must protect the integrity of its exams at all costs, while others decry what they see as a rush to tarnish a young scholar’s achievement. Prominent education advocate Dr. Amina Bello cautioned against hasty judgments: “Allegations of this magnitude require solid evidence. We must avoid discouraging bright minds from pursuing excellence.”


Legal experts note that under JAMB regulations, any confirmed malpractice would lead to outright cancellation of the offender’s UTME score and possible criminal charges. However, until the disciplinary panel concludes its review, Okeke’s exam performance remains in limbo.