The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) officially released the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results on Friday, at its National Headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, enabling over 1.9 million candidates to check their scores.
However, the board announced that 39,834 results are being withheld due to suspected examination malpractice, with 80 individuals nationwide under investigation for fraud, 14 of whom are from Anambra State, the highest number recorded.
JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, addressing journalists during the release, also revealed that 467 underage candidates met the exceptional ability threshold, but 50 others faced sanctions for cheating.
The announcement, reported by Vanguard and Premium Times, underscores JAMB’s stringent anti-malpractice measures while highlighting persistent challenges in maintaining exam integrity amid Nigeria’s largest-ever UTME turnout.
The 2025 UTME, held from April 24 to May 5 across 774 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers in 118 towns, saw a record 2,030,627 candidates register, excluding foreign participants, per JAMB’s March 2025 bulletin. Of the 1,955,069 who sat for the exam, 75% (over 1.5 million) scored below 200 out of 400, while 420,415 (21.5%) scored above 200, and only 12,414 (0.63%) achieved 300 or higher, according to JAMB’s statistical breakdown.
The low pass rate, consistent with trends over the past 12 years, as Oloyede noted in a Punch interview, has sparked debate about educational preparedness, with posts on X like @jojoawo praising JAMB’s leak-proof system but urging parents to prioritize candidates’ study habits.
The withholding of 39,834 results, affecting roughly 2% of candidates, stems from investigations into infractions such as impersonation, illegal assistance, and tampering with exam systems.
Oloyede disclosed that 97 candidates were directly involved in misconduct, with their results withheld, while 2,157 others face ongoing probes.
The 80 suspects, apprehended across multiple CBT centers, are undergoing profiling by security agencies for potential prosecution, with Anambra’s 14 cases topping the list, followed by states like Imo and Enugu, which recorded high fraud in 2020, per Punch.
Oloyede emphasized JAMB’s zero-tolerance policy, stating, “Those arrested are in custody as we prepare for their court appearances,” and highlighted biometric verification failures as a key focus to ensure registration legitimacy.
Anambra’s prominence in fraud cases, a recurring issue since 2020 when it ranked second with 12 suspects, has raised eyebrows. Analysts suggest the state’s high candidate density, 42,960 registered in 2022 may contribute, but lax oversight at CBT centers could be a factor.
JAMB’s decision to withhold results aligns with past practices: in 2024, 64,624 results were held for similar reasons, with 78 cases of confirmed misconduct.
The board’s use of advanced technology, including CCTV reviews and National Identification Number (NIN) integration, has reduced infractions to a “tiny fraction” of previous years, Oloyede claimed, earning praise from Education Minister Tunji Alausa for reinforcing exam credibility.
Among the 40,247 underage candidates permitted to sit the exam to demonstrate exceptional ability, 467 (1.16%) scored 300 or above, meeting JAMB’s threshold for gifted students, though their admission awaits three further evaluation stages.
However, 50 underage candidates were implicated in cheating, tarnishing the cohort’s performance.
The board also noted 71,701 absentees, a persistent issue, and is processing results for blind candidates and the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), conducted with Braille and read-aloud modes, with releases expected soon.
Candidates can check results by sending “UTMERESULT” to 55019 or 66019 via SMS (₦50 charge) using their registered phone number or by visiting JAMB’s e-Facility portal at https://efacility.jamb.gov.ng/login with their registration number or email.
What you should know
Oloyede warned against fraudulent websites, like one falsely linked to Sterling Bank, and urged candidates to avoid unofficial channels.
Anambra’s fraud spotlight may push JAMB to tighten CBT center regulations, while the prosecution of suspects signals a deterrent.
As candidates await admission processes, with cut-off marks varying by institution, the 2025 UTME’s outcome reflects both JAMB’s technological strides and the uphill battle for educational integrity in Nigeria.
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