Popular Nollywood actress and media entrepreneur, Mary Remmy Njoku, has sparked a national conversation on the relevance of Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in the admission process into universities.
The actress took to her Instagram to express her frustration over the multiple hurdles students face in gaining admission into higher institutions, questioning why the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) isn’t considered sufficient proof of academic readiness.
“Why is it necessary to take the JAMB exam to gain admission into universities? Isn’t the SSCE sufficient?
I don’t understand the need for JAMB + post-JAMB when the SSCE already shows we’ve completed secondary school,” she wrote.
Njoku’s remarks come amid growing public criticism of JAMB following the mass failure of candidates in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Many Nigerians have voiced concerns over the credibility and usefulness of the examination, especially as many students who excelled in their SSCE struggled with UTME scores.
The backlash intensified after JAMB admitted to errors in the results of some candidates. The board issued an apology to those affected and revealed plans for a resit examination.
Speaking to the press, JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, confirmed that 379,997 candidates who wrote their exams in 157 out of 882 centres, particularly in Lagos and the South-East, would be contacted to retake their UTME starting Friday, May 16.
Njoku’s statement has resonated with many Nigerians, especially parents and educators, who have long criticized the redundancy of having to take JAMB and post-UTME exams after passing the SSCE. Her post has reignited debates on education reform, examination integrity, and the mental toll the current system takes on young Nigerians.
As more voices join the conversation, Mary Njoku’s bold commentary reflects the growing demand for a more efficient, fair, and transparent system that prioritizes students’ welfare and academic achievements.
