In its statistical bulletin released on Monday, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) disclosed that only 420,415 candidates scored above 200 in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This figure represents a noticeable drop compared to previous years, drawing attention to possible academic or systemic factors at play.
According to the board, 4,756 candidates scored above 320, while 7,658 candidates earned scores ranging from 300 to 319. These top-tier performances, though relatively few, highlight the growing competitiveness of the examination.
The report also addressed a special category: underage candidates, typically younger than the average UTME applicant. JAMB revealed that 40,247 underage candidates were permitted to participate under a policy that allows gifted students to demonstrate academic potential. However, only 467 candidates (1.16%) from this group scored high enough to meet JAMB’s benchmark for “exceptional ability.”
Their performance in the next three evaluation stages—yet to be conducted—will further determine their placement and academic standing.
JAMB’s findings have sparked conversations in the education sector, with experts calling for a reassessment of preparation strategies and curriculum alignment to better support students’ academic success.
