The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released a detailed statistical report on the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), shedding light on national performance trends and raising fresh concerns about the quality of education and exam preparedness in Nigeria.
According to data shared by JAMB on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, out of the 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the UTME, a staggering 1,534,654 candidates—representing 78.5%—scored below 200 out of a possible 400 points.
UTME 2025: Key Performance Highlights
- Total Candidates: 1,955,069
- Candidates Scoring Below 200: 1,534,654 (78.5%)
- Candidates Scoring 300 and Above: 12,414 (0.63%)
- Highest Score Range (320+): Only 4,756 candidates (0.24%)
The breakdown of scores reveals that the majority of candidates fell into the 160–199 category, with 983,187 students (50.29%) scoring within that band. Here’s a more detailed score distribution:
| Score Range | Number of Candidates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 320 and above | 4,756 | 0.24% |
| 300–319 | 7,658 | 0.39% |
| 250–299 | 73,441 | 3.76% |
| 200–249 | 334,560 | 17.11% |
| 160–199 | 983,187 | 50.29% |
| 140–159 | 488,197 | 24.97% |
| 120–139 | 57,419 | 2.94% |
| 100–119 | 3,820 | 0.20% |
| Below 100 | 2,031 | 0.10% |
JAMB also revealed that 40,247 underage candidates—those below the typical examination age—were granted permission to sit for the UTME based on their “exceptional abilities.” However, only 467 of these (1.16%) scored above the performance benchmark required for further evaluation. These candidates will go through additional assessment stages to determine their readiness for tertiary education.
- Candidates Absent: 71,701
- Confirmed Examination Infractions: 97 candidates
- Candidates Under Investigation for Malpractice: 2,157
- Biometric Issues: Some candidates faced challenges and are currently under review. Those cleared will be rescheduled for exams at designated centres.
JAMB emphasized that results for blind candidates and those under the JEOG category are still being processed and will be released soon. The board also reassured the public that those affected by biometric and technical issues would be treated fairly.
A press briefing is expected later this week, during which JAMB will provide updates on how to check results, clarify pending issues, and address public concerns regarding the examination process.
The 2025 UTME statistics paint a sobering picture of the state of education in Nigeria. With nearly 80% of candidates scoring below average, stakeholders—parents, schools, government agencies—must come together to address the deep-rooted issues affecting academic performance. As JAMB continues to tighten its processes and evaluation systems, it is crucial to also focus on long-term educational reforms.
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