- Data shows more candidates scored above 300
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said the result of this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) showed remarkable improvements in the performances of candidates in the last 12 years.
An analysis of the data from the board showed an upward trend in performances of candidates who sat for the examination.
The board also released the results of candidates who wrote the UTME resit examination.
It announced the release of withheld results of underage candidates (except those with litigations) who performed below the established standards and those involved in ‘WhatsApp Runs’ and other misdemeanours.
The results were released after a meeting of JAMB’s Chief External Examiners (CEEs) in all the states of the federation.
The board said 21,082 candidates were absent out of the 336,845 candidates who were scheduled after isolated good sessions of the affected centres were excluded and their previously unverified candidates were added.
The official data released by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, showed that 17,025 candidates, representing 0.88 per cent of the total 1,931,467 who sat for the 2025 UTME scored 300 and above.
It was the highest number of top scorers recorded since the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format was introduced in 2013 by JAMB. In comparison, only 8,401 candidates (0.46 per cent) scored 300 and above in 2024, while 5,318 (0.35 per cent) reached the same benchmark in 2023 and 5,833 (0.34 per cent) in 2022. Only 724 candidates (0.06 per cent) scored 300+ in 2021, and none in both 2014 and 2013.
The data also indicated a full release of results in 2025 with all 1,931,467 candidates receiving their scores, surpassing the 1,842,364 results released in 2024.
A further analysis of the 2025 results showed that 117,373 candidates (6.08 per cent) scored 250 and above, a significant increase from 77,070 (4.18 per cent) in 2024, and 56,736 (3.73 per cent) in 2023.
Also, a total of 65,336 (3.8 per cent) candidates scored 250 and above in 2022 and 21,368 candidates (1.63 per cent) scored 250 and above in 2021. In comparison, 565,988 candidates, representing 29.3 per cent scored 200 and above this year; 439,961 (24 per cent) in 2024, and 355,689 (23.36 per cent) in 2023.
Despite these gains, majority of the candidates – 1,365,479 (70.7 per cent) still scored below 200 in 2025. This figure showed a slight improvement from 76 per cent in 2024 and 76.64 per cent in 2023.
A year-by-year comparison underscored the fluctuating nature of performance trends.
For example, in 2021, only 168,650 candidates (13 per cent) scored 200 and above, while 188,567 (11 per cent) scored 200 and above. In 2016, the number was 568,847 (34 per cent).
The statement added: “After consideration of the report of the resit examination and extensive deliberations thereon, a sub-committee, chaired by the Vice Chancellor of the National Open University, Prof. Olufemi Peters, who is also the CEE FCT, was constituted to confirm that the results were in order.
“The CEEs reviewed the exercise and directed that an expert in psychometrics, Prof. Boniface Nworgu, be invited to analyse and endorse the results for subsequent release.
“As part of the healing process, the meeting resolved that the withheld results of underage candidates (except where litigation is involved), who performed below the established standards, be released.
“Such a result does not, however, qualify them for admission, as they had previously signed an undertaking during the registration process acknowledging that only those who meet the prescribed standards would be considered for underage special admission.
“Release of Result of Candidates involved in ‘WhatsApp Runs’ and other Misdemeanours: This category of candidates was found to have been involved in illicit solicitation of assistance. The meeting emphasised that its decision is not an endorsement of candidates’ unacceptable acts, rather a once and for all waiver. Candidates were thus advised to refrain from joining questionable ‘WhatsApp and other anti-social groups.’”