UTME 2025: Over 1.5 million candidates scored below 200 — JAMB
Eunice Olaleye
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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released a preliminary statistical analysis of the recently concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), revealing a concerning trend in candidate performance. The data indicates that a significant majority of the candidates who sat for the examination, over 1.5 million individuals, scored below 200 out of a possible 400 marks. This disclosure comes in advance of the official release of individual results later this week and provides an initial overview of the overall performance levels.
According to JAMB's analysis, out of a total of 1,955,069 candidates who participated in the UTME, only 420,415 managed to achieve scores above the 200 mark. This statistic paints a stark picture of the challenges facing the Nigerian education system and raises questions about the preparedness of a large proportion of students seeking admission into tertiary institutions. The disparity between the number of candidates scoring below and above 200 underscores the need for a critical assessment of the factors contributing to this performance gap.
Furthermore, the analysis sheds light on the participation of underage candidates in the UTME. JAMB reported that 40,247 candidates below the standard age requirement were granted the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. However, the data reveals that only a small fraction of these underage candidates, a mere 467 individuals representing just 1.16%, achieved scores that meet the threshold for exceptional ability as defined by JAMB. The performance of these candidates will be further evaluated in subsequent stages of the admission process, but the initial results suggest that the majority of underage candidates may not be adequately prepared for the rigors of tertiary education.
In addition to performance data, JAMB also addressed the issue of examination irregularities. The board reported that 97 candidates were found to be involved in examination infractions, while a further 2,157 individuals are currently under investigation for suspected malpractices. These figures highlight the ongoing challenges in maintaining the integrity of the examination process and preventing instances of cheating and fraud. JAMB's commitment to investigating these cases underscores its determination to ensure a fair and transparent admission process for all candidates.
JAMB also acknowledged that 71,701 registered candidates were absent from the examination, further impacting the overall assessment of candidate performance. Additionally, the board is currently investigating cases involving biometric challenges, with plans to reschedule examinations for those candidates who are cleared. The results of blind candidates and others in the JEOG candidates group are still being processed, adding another layer of complexity to the overall results analysis.
JAMB has announced that a press conference will be held later this week to officially release the individual results of candidates and provide a platform for result checking. This event will provide an opportunity for JAMB to further elaborate on the statistical analysis, address any outstanding issues, and answer questions from the media and the public. The release of the UTME results is a highly anticipated event, as it marks a significant step in the journey of many young Nigerians seeking to pursue higher education.