By Omohimuan Emakhu Benson
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a major leap in performance for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with 17,025 candidates scoring 300 and above — the highest number recorded since the exam transitioned to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format in 2013.
The figure, representing 0.88% of the 1,931,467 total candidates, reflects a steady upward trend in both participation and top-tier performance. By comparison: 2024 saw 8,401 candidates (0.46%) score 300+, 2023 had 5,318 (0.35%), 2021 recorded just 724 (0.06%), 2014 and 2013 had none
Additionally, 117,373 candidates scored 250 and above — another notable benchmark, accounting for 6.08% of total candidates.
This year’s figures not only surpass the 1,842,364 results released in 2024 but also reinforce the growing acceptance and competitiveness of the CBT model.
Out of the 336,845 candidates rescheduled for the resit examination due to earlier technical glitches, 21,082 were marked absent. According to JAMB, only verified and authenticated sessions were included in the final results.
Following the resit, a national review meeting was held with Chief External Examiners (CEEs) from all 36 states and the FCT.
The session, chaired by Prof. Olufemi Peters, Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University and CEE for the FCT, appointed Prof. Boniface Nworgu, a psychometrics expert, to validate the results.
In a gesture described as part of a “healing process,” JAMB approved the release of some previously withheld results — including those of underage candidates and others involved in unethical practices like ‘WhatsApp Runs.’
However, the board emphasized that underage candidates who scored below admission thresholds are still ineligible for placement, based on undertakings signed during registration.
The release of results linked to social media misconduct is a one-off waiver and not an endorsement of such behavior.
While most results have now been released, JAMB noted that a few remain withheld due to confirmed examination malpractice or pending mop-up exams. Some previously released results have also been withdrawn following investigations by security agencies.
Candidates whose results were affected are being personally notified via SMS, email, and their JAMB profiles.
The board also debunked speculation that it profits from the SMS result-checking platforms 55019 and 66019, clarifying that these were introduced to protect candidates from cybercafé extortion and preserve data privacy.