Top JAMB Scorer From Anambra Faces False ‘Mercenary’ Accusations, Educator Defends Integrity

Education advocate Alex Onyia has stepped forward to defend Chinedu Okeke, the Anambra-born student who made headlines after achieving the highest score ever recorded in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam—375 out of 400. 

Instead of being celebrated, Chinedu has found himself under scrutiny, with unfounded claims labeling him a “mercenary”—a term used to imply he sat the exam on someone else’s behalf. 

A Deeper Look Into Chinedu’s Story 

Chinedu’s father, Mr. Chris Okeke, provided clarity on his son’s academic journey. According to Onyia, Chinedu initially enrolled in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 2021. 

Despite his strong academic potential, he struggled deeply with the course, failing three subjects during his second MBBS exam—a sign that the path wasn’t aligned with his true aspirations. 

Following deep reflection and family discussions, Chinedu made the bold decision to switch career paths, aiming instead to study Mechanical Engineering, a field that better suited his strengths and passion. 

To make this transition, Chinedu replaced Biology with Mathematics in the 2025 JAMB syllabus. He enrolled at Achievers Academy in Lagos for intense preparation and subsequently excelled, winning the school’s internal academic awards. 

Despite experiencing disruptions due to the well-publicized JAMB technical glitches earlier this year, Chinedu remained focused. 

He retook the rescheduled exam and scored a historic 375—promptly attracting both praise and skepticism. 

Educator’s Stand Against Injustice Onyia, who has been in close contact with Chinedu’s father, expressed his disappointment over the allegations. 

He urged JAMB to investigate thoroughly and issue an apology rather than cast doubt on a young man’s integrity. 

“Chinedu is being wrongly accused, despite his transparent history and unwavering dedication. His story is one of perseverance, not fraud. It should inspire, not be undermined,” Onyia said. 

He also clarified that earlier discrepancies in Chinedu’s records were due to data errors originating from the NIN platform, which have long been corrected. 

In his closing remarks, Onyia highlighted Chinedu’s resilience and called on the public and authorities to commend students who persist through failure and still rise to excellence. 

“We should be celebrating his courage to try again—not punishing him for it,” he concluded.