- Over 1.5 million candidates scored below 200 in the 2025 UTME.
- A total of 1,955,069 candidates participated in the examination.
- Only 420,415 candidates (approximately 21%) scored 200 or higher.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed that more than 1.5 million candidates who took part in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scored below 200.
Out of a total of 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the examination, only 420,415 achieved scores of 200 or higher, representing approximately 21% of all participants. JAMB also noted that fewer than 1% of candidates were able to score above 300
These figures, released on Monday, reflect a troubling trend, with about 75% of candidates falling short of the 200-mark benchmark — a score widely used by Nigerian tertiary institutions as a cutoff for admission.
In its official statement, JAMB shared:
“40,247 underage candidates were permitted to demonstrate their exceptional abilities. However, only 467 of these candidates (1.16%) achieved scores that meet the threshold for exceptional ability as defined for the UTME, with their performance in the subsequent three stages still pending.”
Regarding examination misconduct, the board stated:
“Of the total number registered, 97 candidates were involved in examination infractions, while 2,157 others are currently undergoing investigations for suspected malpractices.”
Further details disclosed include that “71,701 candidates were absent. Those facing biometric challenges are also under investigation, and those who are cleared will be rescheduled for examination at designated centres.”
Additionally, the board explained that “few of the results, including those of blind candidates and others in the JEOG candidates group, are still being processed.” JAMB confirmed that a press briefing will be held later in the week to officially announce individual results and provide information on how to check them.
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