The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will on Thursday hold a high-level meeting to review the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results. This follows what the board described as “unusual” complaints from candidates and stakeholders.
A notice seen by The PUNCH in Abuja confirms that the review panel will include vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, school principals, and technical experts. The aim is to scrutinize the entire examination process and address rising concerns over the outcome.
Over 1.9 million candidates sat the 2025 UTME, but more than 1.5 million scored below 200 out of a possible 400. Only 0.63% of candidates scored 300 and above, sparking outrage across the country.
JAMB stated that it had received thousands of complaints, some involving alleged technical glitches and score inconsistencies. In response, the board is accelerating its usual post-exam review process to ensure transparency and accountability.
“The review will cover registration, conduct, and result processing,” JAMB spokesman Dr. Fabian Benjamin said. “Our focus is to restore public confidence and fix any technical lapses.”
Despite the controversy, JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede said the performance trends align with past years. “These results are not unusual,” he explained, citing similar statistics from 2024, 2022, and 2021.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, attributed the high failure rate to the government’s crackdown on exam malpractice. However, many candidates and parents remain unconvinced, with some threatening legal action and demanding a breakdown of scoring methods.
The review meeting will also involve representatives from key educational bodies, including the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools and the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria.
Affected candidates who experienced technical disruptions may be offered another opportunity to sit for the examination, in line with JAMB’s policies.
