“I Just Want My Daughter’s Real Result”: Heartbroken Father Demands Answers from JAMB Over Timilehin Opesusi's Tragic Death
The tragic death of 19-year-old Timilehin Opesusi, a young Nigerian student who took her life after receiving a disputed score in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), has sent shockwaves across the country. Her grieving father, Femi Opesusi, is now demanding justice—not in the form of compensation, but simply the truth. He wants the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to release what he describes as the “actual result” of his daughter.
This heartbreaking story not only raises questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary education assessment system but also underscores the immense pressure faced by students and families during the UTME process.
A Promising Life Cut Short After Disputed UTME Result
Timilehin Opesusi, who lived with her elder sister in Ikorodu, Lagos State, was like any other hopeful Nigerian student preparing for her future. In 2024, she had scored 190 in the UTME and was looking to improve her performance in the 2025 edition to gain admission into her preferred tertiary institution.
However, when the 2025 UTME results were released, Timilehin was devastated to see a score of 146—a figure that sharply contradicted her expectations. According to her father, the teenager was convinced the result was not hers.
“Daddy, this is not my result,” she told him repeatedly.
This score came amidst widespread reports that over 300,000 candidates had been affected by technical issues during the UTME conducted by JAMB. Despite this public knowledge, the emotional impact on Timilehin was immediate and overwhelming. Just hours after checking her score, she tragically ingested a sachet of rodenticide in an attempt to end her life. Though her sister rushed her to a nearby hospital, Timilehin could not be saved.
A Father’s Unrelenting Demand: “I Just Want the Actual Result”
In an emotionally charged interview with Channels Television, Femi Opesusi expressed disbelief and pain over the circumstances surrounding his daughter’s death. He accused JAMB of tampering with Timilehin’s result and demanded transparency.
“They have never called me, they have never granted me an interview, they have never said anything to me,” he lamented.
His demands are simple, but they cut deep: he does not want financial compensation, nor does he seek apologies from JAMB or the government. All he wants is the truth.
“I don’t want to see them. What I want is the actual result of my daughter, that’s the only thing,” Mr. Opesusi stated.
This plea resonates with millions of Nigerians who are increasingly questioning the credibility of Nigeria’s central examination board.
JAMB Admits to “Technical Glitch” After Initial Denial
Initially, JAMB dismissed the growing criticisms and insisted that the results released were accurate and reliable. However, as public outrage grew, the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, held a press briefing on May 14, 2025, where he acknowledged that a “technical glitch” had indeed affected the UTME process.
According to Prof. Oloyede, 379,997 candidates from 157 examination centres, mostly located in Lagos and the South-East, were affected.
“We are human; we are not perfect,” the Registrar admitted during the conference.
While the acknowledgment was welcomed by some, it came too late for Timilehin and her family. In response, JAMB announced that it would conduct a mop-up examination on May 16 for all candidates who were affected by the glitch.
Silence from Authorities Deepens the Family’s Pain
Despite the national attention and the Registrar’s apology, Mr. Opesusi says the family has not received any official communication—not from JAMB, not from the Ministry of Education, and not from any arm of the government.
For a grieving father, the silence has been deafening.
“They have never called me,” he reiterated during the interview.
To many observers, this neglect underscores the lack of empathy and accountability often seen in public institutions in Nigeria. It also raises concerns about how tragedies like Timilehin’s are handled—or ignored—by those in power.
Timilehin’s Death Sparks National Outrage and Condemnation
Following her tragic death, public condemnation of JAMB’s handling of the 2025 UTME has intensified. The story has stirred not only emotional responses but also political ones. Civil society groups, student unions, and concerned citizens have demanded systemic reforms within the examination board.
In a dramatic move, the South-East Caucus of the 10th House of Representatives publicly called for the resignation of Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, describing the entire UTME 2025 examination cycle as a “national shame.”
The lawmakers insisted that the loss of even one life due to technical mishandling and lack of support systems is unacceptable in any civilized society.
JAMB Holds Minute of Silence, But Is It Enough?
In a recent internal meeting, JAMB officials observed a minute of silence in memory of Timilehin. While this gesture may have been well-intentioned, it has done little to console the bereaved family. For Mr. Opesusi, symbolic gestures are not enough—he wants transparency, accountability, and answers.
Shocking UTME 2025 Statistics Reveal Widespread Underperformance
Data released by JAMB paints a troubling picture of the 2025 UTME outcome. Out of the 1.95 million candidates who sat for the exam:
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Over 78% scored below 200
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Only 12,414 candidates scored 300 and above
These figures, combined with the admitted technical failures, further call into question the reliability of the entire process.
Time for Educational Reform: What Needs to Change?
Timilehin’s story is not just about one family’s grief—it is about a systemic failure in Nigeria’s educational infrastructure. The incident has highlighted key issues that must be addressed:
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Transparency in result computation and dissemination
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Effective communication channels between JAMB and candidates/families
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Mental health support for students under academic pressure
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Independent audit mechanisms for UTME processes
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Real-time technical monitoring to avoid glitches and misinformation
Conclusion: A Father’s Fight for the Truth
At the heart of this national tragedy lies a father’s simple but powerful plea: “Give me my daughter’s actual result.”
Femi Opesusi’s demand is not just a request for a number—it is a call for justice, dignity, and truth. His daughter, Timilehin, deserved better. And so do the millions of other Nigerian students who put their futures in the hands of a system that must now answer some hard questions.
As Nigeria grapples with the implications of this tragedy, one thing remains clear: until accountability becomes the standard and not the exception, the education system will continue to fail those it was meant to uplift.
