LAGOS, Nigeria — After the tragic death of a 19-year-old girl in Lagos who reportedly took her own life following her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, mental health experts are calling for improved support for students facing exam pressures.
The late Timilehin, described by neighbors as quiet and humble, was said to have been living with her elder sibling in Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos State, originally hailing from Abeokuta, Ogun State. It was reported that she was devastated after scoring 190 in the 2025 UTME results, believing it to be lower than her previous year’s score.
Many in the community expressed sorrow and directed their anger towards the examination body for any perceived shortcomings, while mental health professionals urged for a more holistic approach to safeguarding students’ mental and emotional well-being.
In an interview with PUNCH Metro, Michael Jacob, psychotherapist and founder of Emotion Compass Academy, emphasized that academic performance should never define a student’s self-worth. “To every student struggling right now under the weight of disappointment, please understand: your value is not defined by a number on a result slip. The UTME is only one doorway out of many. If that door closes, another will open—but you must still be here to walk through it,” Jacob stated.
He highlighted the importance of separating academic failure from personal identity, cautioning students not to conflate their performance with their intelligence. “Failing a test does not mean you are a failure. It means you are human. It means you tried. And it means you are still learning,” he noted, urging young people to reach out for help instead of suffering in silence.
“When emotional pain becomes unbearable, the most important thing is not to suffer in silence. Speak to someone you trust—a counselor, a therapist, a parent, or a teacher. Talking is not weakness. Asking for help is not failure,” Jacob added.
Patricia Udosen, a mental health psychologist, also addressed the intense pressure students face during examinations, indicating how crushing unmet expectations can be. “The pressure to succeed can be overwhelming, and the disappointment of not meeting expectations can be crushing. However, it’s essential to remember that failure is not the end of the road,” Udosen remarked.
She encouraged students to process their emotions constructively and seek help as needed: “It’s normal to feel disappointed, frustrated, or sad after experiencing failure. Talking to trusted friends, family, or a counselor can provide valuable support and guidance.”
Udosen also called on parents to practice empathy and provide emotional support to their children, stressing that they should listen without judgment and validate their emotions. She advised, “Focus on their effort and determination, not just results. Support their emotional well-being and remind them that failure is not the end but a stepping stone to success.”
Similarly, clinical psychologist Hammed Lateefat reinforced the need to normalize failure as a part of life. “They should know that we fail in life, and they should not allow that to affect their mental health. Instead of dwelling on the failure, they should look into their lapses and never give up,” she said.
In light of this incident, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) faced significant backlash from parents and students. In response, JAMB announced on Monday that it is reviewing the recently released 2025 UTME results. Spokesperson Fabian Benjamin stated that the board is expediting its annual system review in light of the “significant volume of unusual complaints” registered after the results were published.
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