Peter Obi has decried the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination results as consequences of decades of underinvestment in the country’s education sector.

“The latest JAMB results once again highlight the consequences of decades of underinvestment in education, a sector that should be central to our national development strategy,” Mr Obi said in a statement on Monday night.

In the percentage analysis of the UTME results on Monday, more than 1.5 million scored less than 200 points out of the 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the examination. 

While 420,415 candidates scored above 200 points, with 756 scoring above 320, up to 7,658 scoring between 300 and 319 points.

Mr Obi said the results reflected the deep-rooted challenges bedevilling Nigeria’s educational system.

Citing Bangladesh and Turkey in the areas of education and development, the former Anambra governor insisted both countries surpass Nigeria in terms of university enrollment and Human development index.

He said, “Bangladesh, which once lagged behind Nigeria in virtually every measurable development index, now surpasses us in all key areas of development and in the Human Development Index (HDI). 

‘Similarly, Turkey, with a population of about 87.7 million people, has over 7 million university students — more than three times Nigeria’s total university enrollment.”

Mr Obi advocated aggressive investment in the education sector, adding it is crucial to build a prosperous country.

“I have consistently said it: education is not just a social service; it is a strategic investment. It is the most critical driver of national development and the most powerful tool for lifting people out of poverty.

“We must now invest aggressively in education — at all levels — if we are serious about building a prosperous, secure, and equitable Nigeria,” the former Anambra governor said.