Appraisal Theory Analysis of Comments on Nigeria's Controversial 2025 UTME on Facebook and Nairaland

Abstract

Comments on Facebook and Nairaland in Nigeria constitute a distinct genre of online discourse providing unique data sources for multi-thematic and multi-methodological linguistic inquiries. Nigeria’s 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculations Examinations (UTME) faced significant controversies, resulting in a mass re-sit for many candidates, widespread complaints, protests, and constituting a subject of debates on social media. This study is an appraisal theory analysis of selected comments on Facebook and Nairaland on the subject. It explores how discussants convey attitudinal evaluations of targeted agencies perceived to be responsible for the glitches surrounding the examinations; investigates how discussants utilise monoglossic and heteroglossic engagement resources to construct positions towards targeted agencies; and examines how discussants deploy graduation resources to reinforce their rhetorical attitudes and stances. The data comprises 400 purposively selected from Facebook and Nairaland (200 each) on news reports relating to the controversial examinations between May and June 2025, posted on each medium for public discursive purposes. The analysis shows that attitudinal evaluations are conveyed through affective expressions of sadness and disappointment, underscoring critical judgements and negative appreciation of agencies like JAMB, the Registrar, and others. Through engagement resources, discussants predominantly construct antagonistic positions towards targeted agencies using monoglossia and heteroglossia, without considering alternative opinions. They also predominantly employ graduation resources of high force and sharpening focus to intensify the attitudes and positions they construct. The study concluded that Nigeria’s 2025 UTME is a highly emotive and contentious topic presenting a veritable resource for linguistic scholarship.