Abuja, Nigeria — Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) don announce say 99 per cent of di 336,845 candidates wey sit for di rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for Lagos and di five South East states score below 200 marks. According to data, this mean say 333,477 candidates no reach 200 out of 400 maximum score.
In statement wey JAMB Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, release on Sunday, he talk say, ‘only small crop of candidates score up to 217 for di affected sessions.’ Dis announcement follow di earlier server wahala wey disturb di examination for six states of di country. Dr. Benjamin clarify say, ‘di questions wey some people dey ask about candidates wey allegedly score high in di cancelled sessions no get basis, as only small number score above 217.’
He add say dis explanation come as a response to opportunists wey dey spread misleading claims about di results. Dr. Benjamin continue, ‘E no dey surprising say some people wan exploit di situation for personal gain and wan discredit di CBT process and JAMB itself.’
JAMB also confirm say all di results don release except for candidates wey commit examination infractions, plus dem wey go participate in mop-up examinations. ‘Recent discoveries, especially from di security agencies, don lead to withdrawal of some results wey dey involve candidates wey don misbehave,’ he said. ‘Candidates wey get early released results no need to check again as dem go dey get notifications through text and email.’
Furthermore, JAMB don announce new data wey show say more candidates score 250 and above in di 2025 UTME compare to di past years wey CBT format begin for 2013. From di 1,931,467 candidates wey sit for di 2025 exam, only 17,025 students score 300 or more, which be just 0.88 per cent. Also, 117,373 candidates score between 250 and 299, giving total of 134,398 candidates wey score 250 and above.
Past figures show say for di 2024 exam, only 77,070 candidates score 250 and above, which mean say dis year don break di record. In di same vein, 565,988 students, representing 29.3 per cent, score between 200 and 249, while 1,365,479 candidates or 70.7 per cent score below 200. Di history from 2013 to 2024 show fluctuation in di percentage of candidates wey score 250 and above.
On di rescheduled UTME, JAMB confirm say of di 379,000 candidates wey dey affected by technical issues, 336,845 participate while 21,082 no show up. Di board don offer di absentee candidates chance to participate in mop-up examination wey dem go schedule.
Dr. Benjamin also highlight say, ‘This waiver dey also extend to candidates wey miss di main UTME for any reason.’ JAMB don involve security agents, arrest several people, identifying over 3,000 candidates wey dey part of di examination fraud.
Despite di wahala, JAMB state say performance analysis dey consistent with past results wey dey range from 11 per cent in 2013 to 34 per cent in 2016. Dem note say examination irregularities don increase because of some candidates, school proprietors, and CBT centre operators.
Following di resit exam, JAMB hold meeting with Chief External Examiners (CEEs) nationwide to review di results. Di meeting wey chair by Prof. Olufemi Peters, Vice-Chancellor of National Open University, involve expert analysis from psychometrician Prof. Boniface Nworgu to confirm di results.
Di meeting resolve say results of underage candidates wey score below established standards, except for candidates involved in litigation, go release, but dis no qualify dem for admission. Dem also decide to release results for candidates involved in misconduct after cautioning dem against joining WhatsApp groups wey dey promote dishonesty.
JAMB condemn di involvement of some CBT centres in exam malpractice and don resolve to blacklist di implicated centres and prosecute di owners. Di board emphasize di urgent need for government to regulate tutorial centres to prevent examination malpractice. Dem also note di significant role of Computer-Based Testing in ensuring a fraud-free examination process.
Finally, JAMB express regret about di efforts to politicise di situation with tribal narratives, assuring say no group dey targeted. Dem commend di management for their handling of di incident and urge dem to remain focused.
