- October
10
2025 - 5
When Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) posted the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination results on May 9, the numbers sent a clear shockwave through Nigeria’s higher‑education landscape. Over 1.94 million candidates sat for the test, yet roughly 78 percent scored below the 200‑mark threshold, and a paltry 0.63 percent breached the 300‑point barrier.
The release took place at the board’s headquarters in Bwari, Abuja at 8:00 am, broadcast to the nation via The PUNCH and Premium Times. Candidates could check their scores by texting “RESULT” plus their registration number to 55019 or 66019. What followed was a cascade of protests, demands for resignations, and a hurried resit for nearly 380 000 candidates.
Why the Numbers Matter
The raw data tells a stark story. Of those who sat the exam, more than 1.5 million earned fewer than 200 marks. Only 12 421 candidates managed to score 300 or higher, and an astonishing 24 535 fell below the 100‑mark line. Such a distribution raises questions about preparation, exam difficulty, and the efficacy of anti‑malpractice measures.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education hailed the outcome as “evidence that the government’s anti‑malpractice crusade is finally bearing fruit,” while critics argue it merely reflects deeper systemic flaws.
Resit Examination: A Second Chance or a Band‑Aid?
After the initial fallout, JAMB announced a resit window from May 16 to May 19 for 379 997 candidates whose scores were compromised by technical glitches, especially in Lagos and the South‑East. The board’s 2025 UTME Resitvarious CBT centers nationwide saw 336 845 candidates scheduled, though over 21 000 were absent and will sit a mop‑up exam.
When the results of the resit were finally released on May 26, the picture shifted slightly: 0.87 percent (16 821 candidates) now scored 300 and above, and 29.08 percent (559 946 candidates) achieved 200 or higher. Still, more than half of the participants lingered in the 160‑199 range.
Underage ‘Exceptional’ Candidates: A Controversial Category
JAMB permitted 40 247 under‑age applicants to sit the exam as “exceptional candidates.” Of these, a mere 467 (1.16 percent) met the board’s stringent ability threshold, and only 176 have been screened for admission as of May 26. The board clarified that, despite a one‑time waiver releasing their scores, these candidates remain ineligible for university placement.
Education researcher Dr. Peter Ogudoro, Managing Consultant at Ogudoro Leadership Trainers, warned that “creating a separate track for under‑age hopefuls risks undermining the merit‑based ethos of the UTME.”
Political Repercussions and Calls for Accountability
Outrage spilled into the chambers of regional legislatures. Lawmakers from the South‑East demanded the resignation of Professor Is‑haq Oloyede, JAMB Registrar, accusing him of mismanagement. While Oloyede defended the results as “consistent with the past 12 years,” the pressure did not ease.
Human‑rights activist Courage Nsirimovu, a lawyer from Port Harcourt, joined the chorus, insisting on an independent audit of the testing process.
Impact on Nigerian Tertiary Admissions
The immediate fallout for universities is palpable. With only a fraction of candidates meeting the 200‑mark cutoff, many institutions face shortfalls in their intake quotas, potentially prompting them to revise admission criteria or open additional slots for students from other examinations.
Meanwhile, the board’s crackdown on Computer‑Based Test (CBT) centres suspected of malpractice led to the blacklisting of several venues and the prosecution of operators, a move welcomed by anti‑cheating advocates but lamented by students who argue that the punitive approach may penalise innocent test‑takers.
What Lies Ahead?
JAMB has pledged to conduct a thorough review of its testing infrastructure, with a final report slated for early 2026. The board also hinted at a possible overhaul of the scoring rubric, though details remain scarce.
For the 21 000 candidates who missed the resit, a mop‑up exam is scheduled for early June, offering a last chance to salvage their university dreams. Whether this will ameliorate the broader crisis remains to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 2025 UTME result affect university admissions?
With only 29 percent of candidates scoring 200 or above, many universities will receive fewer qualified applicants than anticipated. Institutions may need to lower cut‑off marks, increase intake from other exams, or defer admissions for the upcoming academic session.
What caused the need for a resit examination?
Technical glitches and reported human errors particularly in Lagos and South‑East CBT centres compromised the integrity of the original test. To address these anomalies, JAMB organized a resit for the affected 379 997 candidates.
Will under‑age ‘exceptional’ candidates be admitted to universities?
No. Although JAMB released their scores as a one‑time waiver, the board confirmed that these candidates remain ineligible for admission under current regulations.
What measures is JAMB taking to prevent future malpractice?
The board has blacklisted several CBT centres implicated in cheating, initiated prosecutions against operators, and announced a comprehensive review of its testing infrastructure, expected to be published in early 2026.
When will the mop‑up exam for absent resit candidates occur?
JAMB plans to hold the mop‑up examination in early June 2025, giving the roughly 21 000 absent candidates a final opportunity to record a score for university consideration.
About Author
I am a journalist with a focus on daily news in Africa. I love shedding light on the stories that often go unheard and highlighting the dynamism of the continent. My passion for journalism is driven by a desire to inform, educate, and impact readers.
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Lane Herron
October 10, 2025 AT 03:43Ah, the UTME data-pure masterpiece of statistical insignificance, a veritable kaleidoscope of pedagogical failure metrics. One can almost taste the sweet perfume of systemic decay wafting through the halls of academia.