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The recently released 2026 UTME results breakdown offers more than just statistics—it reveals a deeper concern about the state of learning and academic preparedness among students. With over 50% of candidates scoring between 160–199 and only about 0.6% scoring above 300, the data highlights a troubling reality: a large number of students are not reaching excellence-level performance. This raises an important question—are students truly learning, or are they being “helped” in ways that weaken their academic foundation?
One major issue contributing to this trend is the growing culture in some private secondary schools of assisting students during external examinations. While this may be done under the guise of ensuring high pass rates or maintaining a school’s reputation, the long-term consequences are damaging. When students are artificially supported during exams, they gradually lose the motivation to study, think critically, and develop discipline. Success becomes expected without effort, and learning becomes secondary.
This practice ultimately produces students who struggle when faced with independent assessments like the UTME, where such “help” is unavailable. The result is exactly what we see in the statistics—average scores dominating and very few high achievers. Education is meant to build capacity, not dependency.
Beyond addressing malpractice in private schools, there is an equally pressing need for government intervention, especially at the grassroots level. Many public schools in local government areas lack basic infrastructure, qualified teachers, and learning materials. Students in these areas are often left behind, not because they lack intelligence, but because they lack opportunity.
If the government invests more in education at the grassroots—by improving school facilities, training teachers, and providing access to quality learning resources—students will be better equipped to compete fairly. A strong foundation at the local level creates a ripple effect that strengthens the entire education system.
Education should not be about shortcuts or manipulated success. It should be about growth, competence, and genuine achievement. Private schools must uphold integrity by allowing students to earn their results, while the government must ensure that every child, regardless of location, has access to quality education.
Only then can we move from a system that celebrates inflated success to one that produces truly capable and confident individuals ready to shape the future.
By Oluwadamilola Akinrinade Emmanuel, B.Sc Ed, Diploma in Media Journalism and Administration
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