Following the release of the UTME results by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, some candidates have raised concerns about differences between their expected scores and actual results. One of them is Awe Deborah from Ogun State, who intends to study Medicine and Surgery. In this interview with Edutimes Interview Desk, she speaks about her result, preparation, and why she believes her score does not reflect her performance. Her tutor, Olubiye Victor Segun, who has six years of experience preparing students for external examinations, also shares his perspective. Excerpt
Awe Deborah: I was surprised. How can I have 257 as my aggregate? When I checked the breakdown, Chemistry was totally wrong because the answers I was sure of were up to 90 per cent, yet I saw 67. Biology too, I expected at least 80 per cent. Even in English, many questions were familiar. Physics, 59 cannot be my score because the ones I am sure of are more than 60. I am shocked. I know this is not my result. Does it mean all my preparation has been wasted?
Q: How would you compare your preparation this year to last year?
Awe Deborah: Last year, I did not really take it seriously. I read based on textbooks, mobile apps, and WhatsApp groups as a first-timer. But this year was different. With the help of my tutor and family, I prepared very well. I scored 277 last year with less effort, so this year we were aiming for 300 and above.
Q: Do you think the score reflects your ability?
Awe Deborah: No.
Q: What were your expectations before the exam?
Awe Deborah: With my tutor’s help and how I prepared, I was expecting 300 and above. After the exam, I calculated my answers and I was already seeing 320 to 350 as possible.
Q: How many hours did you study daily?
Awe Deborah: At night, my tutor and I studied from 8 pm to 12 am or 1 am, which is about five to six hours. I also woke up at midnight to read for another two to three hours, making it about seven to eight hours in total.
Q: How often did you hold classes?
Awe Deborah: Mostly night classes because I am a secondary school science teacher, so I do not usually have time during the day. I also had Saturday lessons and some evening classes during holidays.
Awe Deborah Oluwanifemi, 18, is a graduate of Federal Government Girls’ College, Efon Alaye (2023/2024 set). She intends to study Medicine and Surgery at Federal University Oye-Ekiti.
Q: What sacrifices did you make during preparation?
Awe Deborah: Yes, I restricted social media. My tutor locked all my social media and game apps to avoid distraction. He was the only one with the password. I also sacrificed sleep, even though I love sleeping.
Q: What is your final say on the result?
Awe Deborah: I wish I could see the questions I answered with my answers. I feel cheated, either by the system or the exam body. This is not my result, but people may not believe me because only the score is shown.
2025 JAMB Result2026 JAMB Result
Interview with Tutor: Olubiye Victor Segun
Q: How many years of experience do you have preparing students for external exams?
Olubiye Victor Segun: Six years.
Q: What is your honest reaction to her result?
Olubiye Victor Segun: It is not good at all. I did not expect it and I cannot accept it. It might be a system issue.
Q: How would you compare her preparation this year to last year?
Olubiye Victor Segun: Last year, when she scored 277, she prepared less than she did this year.
Q: Do you think the score reflects her ability?
Olubiye Victor Segun: No.
Q: What stood out about her preparation?
Olubiye Victor Segun: She was consistent with mock tests using mobile apps daily. She reviewed corrections and researched questions she missed. She was very committed.
Olubiye Victor Segun is an experienced academic tutor with six years of preparing students for external examinations. He specialises in guiding candidates for high-stakes tests, using structured study methods, mock assessments, and performance tracking to improve outcomes.
Folaranmi Ajayi, is an educator and journalist covering education,as an educator he has over a decade of experience in teaching and helping students pass exams with above-average grades. He is an education journalist with a special interest in local education,policy writing, solutions journalism, mentoring students, public speaking, and online training.
As Deborah’s tutor, I appreciate Edutimes for publishing this feature.
Her preparation journey this year was intensive and structured, with consistent mock assessments and disciplined study routines. This story reflects not just one student’s experience, but also the broader realities many UTME candidates face in high-stakes examinations.
I hope it encourages more constructive conversations around student support, preparation methods, and examination experiences in Nigeria.
We appreciate you too for the invaluable support that you have clearly rendered to Deborah and no doubt, numerous other students who you have tutored and offered guidance over the years. Unfortunately, life often teaches us that things will not always go the way we planned and at times we are not awarded what we know we actually earned. But life also teaches us that if we are to make it in life, we must accept that life must go on. We pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and continue moving forward. Thank you so much for reaching out to us. All the best.
I sincerely appreciate Edutimes for publishing my story.
As a UTME candidate, I put in a lot of effort and discipline into my preparation this year, with the hope of achieving a score that would support my dream of studying Medicine and Surgery.
While the outcome was not what I expected, I am choosing to stay focused and keep working toward my goals.
I hope my experience encourages other students to stay determined, regardless of outcomes, and also opens up more conversations around student preparation and examination experiences in Nigeria.
Thank you for reaching out and for speaking out Deborah. No doubt, there are others in the same boat as you, who have had a similar experience. For such, your words of sheer determination, despite all, to achieve your goals, will certainly be a source of inspiration. We at EduTimes Africa wish you all the best in life.
I just believe that Awe Deborah could have done more than this.
The mistake could have been due to a technical failure.
Based on my knowledge of Deborah, who was my secondary school classmate and friend this is not a geniue grading of her ability and preparation.
As Deborah’s mother, I sincerely appreciate Edutimes for sharing her story.
I watched her prepare day and night for this examination with so much discipline and determination because of her dream to study Medicine and Surgery.
While the result was not what we expected, I am proud of her effort and resilience. I hope her experience encourages other parents and students to continue supporting their children and not give up on their goals.
Absolutely! God bless you. As parents, that’s the least that we can do for our children. Give them the support and encouragement that they need. It works wonders. Your daughter is an inspiration and with her unstoppable spirit, she will certainly fulfill her goals.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
As Deborah’s tutor, I appreciate Edutimes for publishing this feature.
Her preparation journey this year was intensive and structured, with consistent mock assessments and disciplined study routines. This story reflects not just one student’s experience, but also the broader realities many UTME candidates face in high-stakes examinations.
I hope it encourages more constructive conversations around student support, preparation methods, and examination experiences in Nigeria.
We appreciate you too for the invaluable support that you have clearly rendered to Deborah and no doubt, numerous other students who you have tutored and offered guidance over the years. Unfortunately, life often teaches us that things will not always go the way we planned and at times we are not awarded what we know we actually earned. But life also teaches us that if we are to make it in life, we must accept that life must go on. We pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and continue moving forward. Thank you so much for reaching out to us. All the best.
I sincerely appreciate Edutimes for publishing my story.
As a UTME candidate, I put in a lot of effort and discipline into my preparation this year, with the hope of achieving a score that would support my dream of studying Medicine and Surgery.
While the outcome was not what I expected, I am choosing to stay focused and keep working toward my goals.
I hope my experience encourages other students to stay determined, regardless of outcomes, and also opens up more conversations around student preparation and examination experiences in Nigeria.
Thank you for reaching out and for speaking out Deborah. No doubt, there are others in the same boat as you, who have had a similar experience. For such, your words of sheer determination, despite all, to achieve your goals, will certainly be a source of inspiration. We at EduTimes Africa wish you all the best in life.
I just believe that Awe Deborah could have done more than this.
The mistake could have been due to a technical failure.
Based on my knowledge of Deborah, who was my secondary school classmate and friend this is not a geniue grading of her ability and preparation.
Thank you very much for reaching out. Several others seem to share your opinion.
As Deborah’s mother, I sincerely appreciate Edutimes for sharing her story.
I watched her prepare day and night for this examination with so much discipline and determination because of her dream to study Medicine and Surgery.
While the result was not what we expected, I am proud of her effort and resilience. I hope her experience encourages other parents and students to continue supporting their children and not give up on their goals.
Absolutely! God bless you. As parents, that’s the least that we can do for our children. Give them the support and encouragement that they need. It works wonders. Your daughter is an inspiration and with her unstoppable spirit, she will certainly fulfill her goals.