The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the results of the rescheduled 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), affecting over 379,000 candidates who were impacted by a glitch during the original examination. The rescheduled exams involved candidates from 157 centres, primarily located in Lagos State and the South-east region of Nigeria.
According to JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, the board rescheduled the examination for a total of 336,845 candidates after removing results from compromised centres and adding those previously unverified. However, 21,082 candidates were absent for the rescheduled exam.
Resit Opportunities for Missed Examinations
For candidates who missed both the initial and rescheduled UTME, JAMB has announced plans to offer a resit examination. This opportunity extends to a total of 92,783 candidates, including 71,701 who missed the first sitting and 21,082 who were absent during the rescheduled test.
JAMB acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the glitch and expressed regret for the situation. The board also noted the discovery of serious irregularities linked to both candidates and certain Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, highlighting the need for stricter examination oversight.
Results Breakdown and Performance Analysis
JAMB has published an analysis of the candidates’ scores. Of the 1.9 million candidates who sat for the UTME, 17,025 (0.88%) scored above 300, while 117,373 (6.08%) scored above 250, and 565,988 (29.3%) scored above 200. However, a significant 1.3 million candidates, or 70.7%, scored below 200.
These results align with past performance trends, with a notable consistency in the proportion of candidates scoring below 200 points over the past 12 years. JAMB has stated that these patterns reflect the overall trend in Nigerian educational testing, with performance varying between 11% in 2013 and 34% in 2016.
Addressing Malpractices and Underage Results
In an effort to combat examination malpractice, JAMB revealed that certain CBT centres had been involved in irregular activities. The board has vowed to blacklist these centres and prosecute the owners and individuals involved in registering candidates with manipulated biometrics or photographs.
Furthermore, JAMB disclosed that results for underage candidates who scored below the required threshold would be withheld, except in cases where litigation is involved. However, these results do not qualify candidates for admission.
The Road Ahead: JAMB’s Commitment to Integrity
JAMB reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the examination process and ensuring fair access to tertiary education. In light of the issues raised, the board has implemented further reviews, including an independent evaluation by Professor Boniface Nworgu, an expert in educational measurement and evaluation.
These reviews are aimed at improving the quality and fairness of the examination process for future cohorts of candidates.