The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed that it will release the results of over 379,000 candidates who participated in the rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) between Friday and Monday, by Wednesday.
This update comes in the wake of widespread public concern following the mass failure recorded during the initial round of the 2025 UTME, prompting the board to investigate and address the root causes of the poor performance.
Background: Technical Failures and Widespread Low Scores
Earlier this year, JAMB came under intense scrutiny after it was revealed that more than 1.5 million out of 1.9 million candidates who sat for the exam scored below 200 marks, a development that sparked debates across the education sector. The situation raised red flags over the credibility of the exam process and the readiness of candidates.
Following an internal investigation, JAMB admitted that a combination of technical malfunctions and human errors had negatively affected the performance of thousands of candidates, especially in Lagos and across the South-East region.
JAMB Registrar Acknowledges Faults, Shows Emotion
In a rare emotional moment, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, took full responsibility for the failings. During a press briefing, Oloyede openly wept as he acknowledged the distress the flawed exam process had caused students and their families. He promised swift corrective action, including a resit for those affected.
“This is not what JAMB stands for. We owe our young people and their families an apology,” he said, expressing regret and vowing reforms to prevent a recurrence.
Details of the Affected Candidates
According to data released by the board, a total of 379,997 candidates were affected by the exam disruptions. This included:
-
206,610 candidates across 65 centres in Lagos State
-
173,387 candidates from 92 centres in the South-East states
The board has since labeled the disruptions as an act of sabotage, and rescheduled exams were promptly organized for the affected candidates. Notifications regarding the new exam dates were sent out via SMS beginning Thursday last week, enabling affected candidates to prepare accordingly.
Breakdown of UTME Performance Statistics
A detailed analysis of the initial UTME results reveals a concerning trend in candidate performance:
-
Only 4,756 candidates (0.24%) scored 320 and above
-
7,658 candidates (0.39%) scored between 300 and 319
-
Total number of high scorers (300 and above): 12,414 (0.63%)
Further breakdown shows:
-
73,441 candidates (3.76%) scored between 250 and 299
-
334,560 candidates (17.11%) scored between 200 and 249
-
983,187 candidates (50.29%) scored between 160 and 199
A significant portion of candidates scored even lower:
-
488,197 candidates (24.97%) scored between 140 and 159
-
Others scored between 120–139, 100–119, and below 100
These results have reignited discussions on the quality of secondary education, student preparedness, and the need for curriculum reforms.
What’s Next?
Speaking to Punch on Monday, JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that the results for the rescheduled UTME would be published on Wednesday, assuring candidates that the board remains committed to transparency and fairness.
“The results of the candidates who took the rescheduled exam will be released on Wednesday,” Benjamin stated.
As stakeholders await the release, attention is turning to how JAMB will implement long-term reforms to restore confidence in its examination process and support Nigerian students in achieving academic success.
Post a Comment