LAGOS, Nigeria — Release of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results dey cause worry for thousands of Nigerian students and their families, as pass rates sharply decline nationwide. Dis situation don put many candidates wey originally plan to attend competitive universities for serious doubt about their chances of admission as the new academic session dey approach.
With the alarming drop in performance, many students don start to reevaluate their options, some don even look towards polytechnics, colleges of education, or universities wey no too dey competitive. As students try to figure dem next moves, education consultants and guidance counselors dey notice increase in consultations as students dey seek advice on viable alternatives.
Online forums and social media don become platforms for sharing experiences and strategies. Some candidates dey even think say make dem take gap year to prepare well for the 2026 UTME. Parents dey express concerns about their children’s future, especially as competition for limited admission slots dey intensify.
Dis year’s admission process go be more complex and emotionally charged than before. The lower performance figures highlight broader challenges in the education system including preparedness, resource access, and exam standards. According to the report, some universities fit accept scores as low as 140:
1. Abia State University
2. Achievers University
3. Akwa Ibom State University
4. Al-Qalam University
5. American University of Nigeria
6. Augustine University
7. Babcock University
8. Bowen University
9. Covenant University
10. Igbinedion University
11. Joseph Ayo Babalola University
12. Madonna University
13. Nile University of Nigeria
14. Oduduwa University
15. Pan-Atlantic University
16. Paul University
17. Redeemer’s University
18. Renaissance University
19. Rhema University
20. Samuel Adegboyega University
21. Skyline University Nigeria
22. Summit University
23. Tansian University
24. University of Mkar
25. Veritas University
26. Wellspring University
Meanwhile, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) don reveal say Anambra and Lagos states report di highest incidents of exam malpractice during di recent UTME. JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, announced dis at a media briefing, saying 80 suspects don dey apprehended across Nigeria due to various exam-related offences.
Oloyede disclose say Anambra lead di list with 14 suspects, while Lagos follow with nine. Him state say offences include impersonation, possession of prohibited devices, and collusion with Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers. In Anambra, 13 cases of impersonation and one mismatched photograph was recorded.
Oloyede talk say the sophistication of cheating tactics this year dey raise serious concern. “We encounter biometric manipulation and double registration,” he talk. Him mention one incident wey concern a blind candidate wey apparently employ another blind student to take di exam in him place, calling am both desperate and disheartening.
JAMB don vow to uphold di integrity of UTME, and all suspects dey under investigation. Education stakeholders dey call for more robust measures to prevent future occurrences of malpractice, with some researchers noting the rampant cheating dey erode the quality of education being provided.
Academic researcher Sylvanus Ushie from Cross River University of Technology talk say examination malpractice don become persistent challenge for Nigeria’s academic institutions, fueled by societal values and inadequate learning facilities.
The study wey Ushie conduct highlight say societal emphasis on certificates over true competence dey lead students to prefer shortcuts to actual learning. Him caution say without systemic reforms, di integrity of Nigeria’s education sector dey at stake.
Meanwhile, JAMB don also disclose that 39,834 UTME results dey withheld due to irregularities, as well as report that 1.9 million candidates partook in the UTME this year. With just 420,415 candidates surpassing di 200 mark, dis year’s UTME results dey raise serious questions about student preparedness and institutional accountability.
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