Former Osun Education Commissioner Condemns UTME Failure as Symptom of Nigeria's Education Crisis
Obilade lamented the devaluation of the education sector, attributing it to societal factors such as the pursuit of material wealth over knowledge acquisition, diminishing respect for teachers, and pervasive examination malpractice aided by parents.
AKACHI NOEL 
Former Commissioner for Education in Osun State, Professor Oluyemisi Obilade, has characterized the widespread failure in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) as a stark indication of the deteriorating quality of education in Nigeria. Only 23 percent of the 1.84 million candidates who sat for the exam nationwide scored above 50 percent, according to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Speaking at a public discourse themed "The Crisis in Nigeria’s Education Sector: Are we raising a generation of illiterates?" alongside Professor Kolawole Kazeem, former Provost of College of Education, Ilesa, Obilade expressed deep concern over the prevailing societal issues affecting education.
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Obilade lamented the devaluation of the education sector, attributing it to societal factors such as the pursuit of material wealth over knowledge acquisition, diminishing respect for teachers, and pervasive examination malpractice aided by parents. She highlighted systemic challenges including inadequate infrastructure, underfunding, and corruption in admissions and employment.
However, she emphasized the potential for redemption through concerted efforts from all stakeholders, particularly government intervention in prioritizing education, restoring dignity to the teaching profession, and investing in teacher training and infrastructure.
Echoing similar sentiments, Prof. Kazeem underscored the collective responsibility of homes, schools, and society in addressing the education crisis.
