The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is facing mounting pressure following the release of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, which have been met with a wave of discontent from candidates and parents across the nation. Allegations of significant discrepancies between expected and actual scores, coupled with reports of technical glitches during the examination, have prompted JAMB to initiate a comprehensive review and promise "appropriate remedial measures."

On Friday, 9th May, 2025.  The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on Friday officially released the results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary and Matriculation Examination to the public.

Earlier, before the release, the board released official statistics of the results.

According to the examination agency, a total of 1,955,069 results were processed, out of which only 4,756 candidates (0.24%) scored 320 and above, considered top-tier performance. 

7,658 candidates (0.39%) scored between 300 and 319, bringing the total for those who scored 300 and above to 12,414 candidates (0.63%).

Also, 73,441 candidates (3.76%) scored between 250 and 299, while 334,560 candidates (17.11%) scored between 200 and 249.

A total of 983,187 candidates (50.29%) scored between 160 and 199, which is widely regarded as the minimum threshold for admissions in many institutions.

In the same vein, 488,197 candidates (24.97%) scored between 140 and 159, 57,419 candidates (2.94%) scored between 120 and 139, 3,820 candidates (0.20%) scored between 100 and 119, and 2,031 candidates (0.10%) scored below 100.

Over 75 percent of all candidates (1.5 million) scored below 200, the average score, seeing as the examination is graded over 400.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, while reacting to the results, said that the performance statistics for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination are in line with results recorded over the past 12 years.

He emphasized, however, that such results are not unusual and align with historical patterns.

“This is not peculiar to this year. The performance statistics are consistent with those of the last 12 years,” he said.

In 2024, 76 percent of candidates who sat the UTME scored less than 200 points.

In 2022, 1.3 million candidates out of 1.7 million, or 78 percent, who sat the 2022 UTME scored below 200, according to JAMB. 

In 2021, only 803 candidates out of 1.3 million, or 0.06 percent, who sat the 2021 UTME scored above 300.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, while also reacting to the results, said the high failure rate in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination was clear evidence that the government’s anti-malpractice measures were yielding results, especially within the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board system.

The sheer volume of complaints, particularly emanating from specific states, has triggered JAMB's annual post-examination review process ahead of schedule. The board has assembled a team of external experts, including IT professionals, academics, and assessment specialists, to meticulously examine all stages of the examination, from registration to the final result release.

Candidates have taken to social media to voice their frustrations. Numerous accounts detail alleged technical malfunctions experienced during the UTME, ranging from incomplete or missing questions and sudden system logouts to inconsistent display of examination content. The widespread nature of these complaints has cast a shadow over the credibility of the results in the eyes of many.

While the Minister of Education attributed this to the effectiveness of measures aimed at curbing examination malpractice, concerned stakeholders argue that the reported technical issues may have significantly contributed to the unexpectedly low scores.

The potential implications of these results on the academic aspirations of countless students have led to heightened anxiety. Some aggrieved candidates are reportedly exploring legal avenues to challenge the outcome, further underscoring the gravity of the situation.

In response to the growing outcry, JAMB has assured the public of its commitment to a fair and transparent process. The ongoing review aims to identify any systemic flaws or technical errors that may have impacted candidates' performance. Should the review confirm the existence of such issues, JAMB has pledged to implement "appropriate remedial measures" without delay. While the specifics of these measures remain undisclosed, they could potentially involve a re-evaluation of results for affected candidates or other forms of redress.

As the nation awaits the outcome of JAMB's review, the spotlight remains firmly on the examination body. The credibility of the UTME, a crucial gateway to higher education in Nigeria, is at stake, and the board's response to these widespread concerns will be critical in restoring public trust and ensuring a fair future for the aspiring students of 2025.