Briga News Nigeria
(Unity School Cut-Off Marks: South-East vs South-West Narrative)
For years, the dominant narrative in Nigeria has portrayed the South-West as the most educated region — rooted in its early access to Western education, historical institutions, and notable elites. However, a closer look at the cut-off marks for Unity Schools tells a different story.
What the Data Shows:
States like Anambra, Imo, and Enugu (South-East) consistently have the highest cut-off marks, often above 130.
In contrast, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti (South-West) have slightly lower marks, typically ranging from 119 to 133.
What It Means:
Cut-off marks reflect student performance and competition. Higher marks in the South-East suggest that students from the region are outperforming others nationally.
The South-East’s strong showing points to a deep cultural emphasis on education and academic excellence, even without the same media dominance or early start the South-West had.
Why the Narrative Persists:
The South-West’s image as “most educated” is built on:
Early colonial education advantage
Strong institutions in Lagos and Ibadan
Media control and historical visibility
But today’s performance data tells a more current story: the South-East is leading academically, despite being less visible in national narratives.
Conclusion:
The high Unity School cut-off marks for South-East states challenge the long-standing belief that the South-West is the most educated. Performance, not perception, shows that the South-East is now at the forefront of academic excellence in Nigeria.
