The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially admitted to errors that impacted student performance during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede acknowledged the issues, stating: “What should have been a moment of joy has changed due to one or two errors.”
The UTME, which serves as a mandatory requirement for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions, tests candidates in four subjects, including compulsory Use of English and three subjects related to their intended field of study.
Of the approximately 1.9 million candidates who participated in the examination, over 1.5 million (more than 75%) reportedly scored below 200 out of the possible 400 marks, raising significant concerns across Nigeria’s education sector.
According to JAMB’s processed results:
- Only 4,756 candidates (0.24%) achieved scores of 320 and above
- 7,658 candidates (0.39%) scored between 300-319
- 73,441 candidates (3.76%) scored between 250-299
- 334,560 candidates (17.11%) scored between 200-249
- 983,187 candidates (50.29%) scored between 160-199, which is considered the minimum threshold for admission at many institutions
- 488,197 candidates (24.97%) scored between 140-159
- 57,419 candidates (2.94%) scored between 120-139
- 3,820 candidates (0.20%) scored between 100-119
- 2,031 candidates (0.10%) scored below 100
Some affected candidates have reportedly threatened legal action against JAMB following these developments.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
