General

Why Extra Lessons Matter for Students in Ikorodu

NLTC Team · 16 May 2026 · 8 min read

With exam failure rates rising across Nigeria, extra lessons have become more important than ever for students in Ikorodu. Here is why structured tutorial support makes a real difference.

Introduction

For a long time, extra lessons were seen as something only struggling students needed — a last resort for those falling behind in school. That perception has changed completely. Today, extra lessons at a quality tutorial center are one of the smartest investments a student or parent in Ikorodu can make, regardless of how the student is currently performing in school. The numbers tell a clear story, and the academic landscape in Nigeria in 2025 and 2026 makes the case stronger than ever.

The State of Exam Performance in Nigeria: The Numbers Are Alarming

In 2025, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) released statistics showing that 78.5 percent of UTME candidates scored below 200 out of 400 marks — making it Nigeria's third-worst UTME performance since 2016. Education analysts described the outcome as a reflection of a decade-long decline in academic preparation across the country.

The situation with WAEC was equally sobering. Out of 1,969,313 candidates who sat the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), only 38.32 percent initially obtained credit passes in five subjects including English Language and Mathematics — the worst performance in a decade and a sharp drop from the 72.12 percent pass rate recorded in 2024. Even after WAEC later revised figures upward following the discovery of a marking error, the episode exposed how fragile student preparation had become nationwide.

These are not just national statistics. They reflect the reality for students in every community across Lagos — including Ikorodu. For every ten students who sat JAMB in 2025, nearly eight did not score up to 200. The competition for university admission slots is fierce, and the gap between students who prepare well and those who do not has never been wider.

Why School Alone Is No Longer Enough

Many parents assume that as long as their child is attending school regularly, they are adequately prepared for WAEC, NECO, and JAMB. Unfortunately, the reality of Nigeria's secondary school system tells a different story. Several well-documented challenges make it difficult for classroom teaching alone to prepare students for competitive national examinations.

1. Overcrowded Classrooms

Public secondary schools in Ikorodu and across Lagos frequently have 60 to 80 or more students in a single classroom. In these conditions, a teacher physically cannot give individual attention to students who are falling behind or struggling with specific topics. Questions go unasked, confusion goes unaddressed, and knowledge gaps accumulate over time.

2. Teacher Absenteeism and Inconsistent Teaching

Education experts and teachers' union leaders have repeatedly acknowledged that low salaries, poor motivation, and inadequate welfare contribute to inconsistent teaching quality in many Nigerian schools. Students may go weeks without certain subjects being properly taught, especially in public schools where teacher shortages are common. By the time exam season arrives, significant portions of the syllabus have not been adequately covered.

3. The Curriculum Is Expanding, Not Shrinking

The Federal Government's new curriculum, which took effect from the 2025/2026 academic session, introduced sweeping changes designed to broaden student skills and align Nigerian education with global standards. While these reforms are positive for long-term development, they mean more content for students to master. Without structured support outside of school, keeping up with the expanded demands of the curriculum becomes increasingly difficult.

4. CBT Is Now the Standard — and Most Students Are Not Ready

JAMB has conducted its examination in Computer-Based Test (CBT) format for years. WAEC and NECO are now actively transitioning to CBT as well. Yet studies show that a large proportion of Nigerian students — particularly in public schools — lack basic computer literacy. Many students who are academically capable still underperform simply because they are unfamiliar with the CBT environment, the interface, and the time management it demands. Tutorial centers that offer regular CBT mock tests directly address this gap.

The Specific Challenges Facing Students in Ikorodu

Ikorodu is one of the fastest-growing divisions in Lagos State, with a rapidly expanding student population. However, growth in student numbers has not always been matched by growth in quality educational infrastructure. Several local factors make extra lessons especially important for students in this area:

• Long commute times: Many students in Ikorodu travel significant distances to reach their secondary schools, arriving tired and less focused. Extra lessons closer to home in a relaxed, familiar environment allow for better concentration and retention.
• Limited access to quality resources: Not all schools in Ikorodu have functional libraries, updated textbooks, or computer labs. Tutorial centers fill this resource gap, providing students with current study materials, past questions, and CBT practice tools.
• High distraction environment: Social media, peer pressure, and economic activities in busy communities like Ikorodu compete for students' attention. A structured tutorial schedule creates the routine and discipline needed to keep students focused on their academic goals.
• First-generation university hopefuls: A significant number of students in Ikorodu are the first in their families to pursue higher education. These students often lack the kind of academic guidance at home that students from more educated family backgrounds receive naturally. A good tutorial center serves as both an academic and motivational support system.

What Extra Lessons Actually Do for a Student

Beyond simply covering topics that school may have missed, quality extra lessons deliver several concrete benefits:

Targeted Subject Support

In a tutorial setting, students can focus specifically on their weakest subjects. A student who excels in Biology but struggles with Mathematics can get concentrated Mathematics coaching without it affecting how their other subjects are taught. This targeted approach is impossible in a regular classroom where one teacher must move the entire class forward together.

Regular Testing and Score Feedback

One of the most effective ways to prepare for JAMB is to be tested regularly under exam conditions and to receive honest, detailed feedback on performance. Tutorial centers that conduct weekly or monthly assessments allow students to track their improvement, identify recurring mistakes, and course-correct before the real examination.

CBT Familiarity and Speed Training

JAMB's CBT format rewards both knowledge and speed. A student has exactly 120 seconds per question on average. Students who have never practiced under timed CBT conditions often panic on exam day, even when they know the material. Regular CBT mock tests at a tutorial center build the mental discipline and time management skills that separate high scorers from average ones.

Motivation and Peer Accountability

Studying alongside other serious students creates a culture of academic ambition. When a student sees their peers working hard and improving, it naturally raises their own standards. Good tutorial centers foster this environment deliberately, creating an atmosphere where academic success is the norm rather than the exception.

Exam Strategy and Technique

There is a difference between knowing a subject and knowing how to answer JAMB questions on that subject. Experienced tutorial teachers teach students how JAMB setters think — the kinds of traps built into questions, how to eliminate wrong options, how to handle unfamiliar questions, and how to manage time across all four subjects. This exam intelligence is rarely taught in regular school settings.

When Should a Student Start Extra Lessons?

The earlier, the better. Students who begin extra lessons in SS2 — well before their WAEC and JAMB year — have a significant advantage. They have time to build strong foundations, identify and fix weak areas, and practice past questions repeatedly before the pressure of SS3 sets in. Students who begin in SS3 can still improve substantially, but they will need to be more intensive and consistent to cover lost ground.

As a general rule, students should be enrolled in a quality tutorial center at least six months before their JAMB examination date. For WAEC, preparation should begin no later than the start of SS3 — ideally earlier.

How to Know If Your Child Needs Extra Lessons Now

Parents sometimes wait for a dramatic failure before acting. But these are signs that a student needs additional academic support right away:

• Consistently scoring below average in school tests, particularly in Mathematics, English, Physics, or Chemistry
• Struggling to understand or retain what is taught in school
• Spending long hours studying but not seeing results improve
• Relying on classmates or copying for assignments rather than independent understanding
• Expressing anxiety or low confidence about upcoming WAEC or JAMB examinations
• Lacking a structured study schedule outside of school hours

If any of these apply, the time to act is now — not after the next set of poor results.

Conclusion

The statistics from 2025's JAMB and WAEC examinations are not just numbers — they represent thousands of young people whose futures were delayed because they were not adequately prepared. In a competitive admission environment where over two million candidates fight for university slots every year, preparation is everything. For students in Ikorodu, extra lessons at a quality tutorial center are no longer optional — they are essential.

At Next Level Tutorial College (NLTC), we exist to ensure that no student in Ikorodu is left behind due to lack of proper academic support. Our experienced tutors, structured curriculum, regular CBT mock tests, and personalised attention are designed to take every student to the next level — in their exams, and in their future. Enrollment is open. Reach out to us today and give your child the preparation they deserve.