A total of 17,025 candidates, representing 0.88% of the 1,931,467 who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), scored 300 and above, according to a report released Sunday by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
This marks a significant improvement compared to previous years since the introduction of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format in 2013. In 2024, only 8,401 candidates (0.46%) attained scores above 300, while 5,318 (0.35%) reached that milestone in 2023. The figures were far lower in earlier years, with just 724 (0.06%) scoring above 300 in 2021, and none in both 2013 and 2014.
The latest statistics also show that 117,373 candidates (6.08%) scored 250 and above in the 2025 examination, reflecting an overall upward trend in performance.
JAMB noted that of the 336,845 candidates who were rescheduled for the examination due to issues at certain centres, 21,082 were absent. It confirmed that these issues arose after isolating malfunctioning centres and adding unverified candidates back into the pool.
In its statement, JAMB revealed that withheld results for certain under-age candidates have now been released—except in cases involving litigation. These candidates had earlier signed an undertaking acknowledging that only those meeting the required standards would be considered for special admission. Nonetheless, the board emphasized that while their results were released as part of a healing process, they do not qualify them for admission.
Also released were results of candidates implicated in illicit “WhatsApp Runs” and other forms of exam malpractice. JAMB clarified that this decision does not condone such behavior, but serves as a one-time waiver. The board urged candidates to avoid anti-social groups and activities going forward.
Further, JAMB disclosed that some results initially released have now been withdrawn after recent findings by security agencies implicated certain candidates in examination infractions.
The board advised that candidates with already released results do not need to recheck them. Affected individuals will be directly notified via SMS, email, and their JAMB profiles.
Addressing public concern, JAMB stated that the shortcode services (55019/66019) used to check results do not generate revenue for the board. Rather, the system is designed to safeguard candidate data and reduce exploitation by cybercafés during result checks.
What you should know
In the 2025 UTME, 17,025 candidates scored 300 and above—more than double the previous year’s figure.
JAMB released all valid results, including some previously withheld due to technical or disciplinary reasons, while reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy on exam malpractice.
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