*JAMB has said over 1.5m candidates representing 76% who sat for 2025 UTME scored below 200
*A total of 1.9m candidates sat for the examination
*Data from JAMB indicate less than 1% scoring above 300
*Parents blame technical glitches, exam timing for the mass failure
By Ngozi A. Nwankwo
Shocking revelation of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, analysis has shown that over 1.5 million candidates 76 percent scored below 200 marks in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.
JAMB disclosed this in an official results analysis posted on its X (formerly Twitter) handle, on Monday.
According to the breakdown of the analysis, a total of 1,955,069 candidates sat for the UTME, with performance across score ranging as follows: 320 and above (4,756 or 0.24 percent); 300–319 (7,658 or 0.39 percent), 300 and above (12,414 or 0.63 percent), 250–299 (73,441 or 3.76 percent), 200–249 (334,560 or 17.11 percent).
In the analysis, the board further revealed that 40,247 underage candidates were allowed to participate in the exam as a special concession to demonstrate exceptional academic ability.
The analysis indicates that only 467 of them—representing a mere 1.16%—met the minimum score threshold defined by JAMB as the benchmark for exceptional performance.
Also, the board said their progress would be further evaluated in three additional stages of assessment.
However, only 467 of them (1.16percent) scored 300 and above—the minimum benchmark to be considered “exceptionally gifted” under JAMB’s classification. Their overall admission fate will depend on three additional post-exam evaluation stages yet to be conducted.
JAMB said that 97 candidates were directly involved in examination misconduct and their results have been withheld. 2,157 candidates are currently being investigated for suspected malpractice, including impersonation, illegal assistance, and tampering with exam systems.
Also, 71,701 candidates were recorded as absent from their examination centres. A significant number of candidates experienced biometric verification issues, which prevented them from taking the exam at their original schedule. These candidates are still under investigation, and only those who are cleared will be rescheduled to write the exam at special centres.
Meanwhile, many concerned Nigerians attributed the mass failure to technical glitches experienced by candidates during the examination, while parents who expressed their frustration over the low score blamed exam timing and body errors.
A parent, Mrs Mercy Williams, confirmed that though she has not seen her son’s result, advised JAMB to establish CBT Centres in all local government areas, saying this would help candidates who are inexperienced with the use of computers to prepare themselves before the UTME.
