Over 21,000 Candidates Absent; Board Warns Against Exam Malpractice and Fake Score Claims
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) resit conducted for candidates affected by technical issues during the initial test. In a startling revelation, the board disclosed that 99% of the candidates scored below 200, with only a handful scoring up to 217 marks.
According to a statement issued by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, a total of 336,845 candidates were rescheduled for the examination. However, 21,082 candidates, representing 93% of the rescheduled cohort, were absent from the exercise. No specific reason was provided for the high absenteeism.
Despite the low turnout, JAMB extended a waiver for absentee candidates, granting them another opportunity to sit for the examination during the annual mop-up exercise, which is yet to be scheduled. The waiver also applies to candidates who missed the main UTME for any reason.
JAMB emphasized that performance trends remain consistent with previous years, citing data that shows results have ranged between 11% in 2013 and 34% in 2016. The board also used the occasion to call attention to what it described as “alarming practices” by candidates and some proprietors of schools and CBT centres, which it says have worsened examination malpractice and irregularities.
To validate the integrity of the resit results, a committee chaired by Prof. Olufemi Peters, Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria and Chief External Examiner for the FCT, reviewed the outcome of the exams. The board also consulted psychometrics expert Prof. Boniface Nworgu, who analysed and endorsed the results.
As part of its resolution, JAMB announced the release of withheld results of under-aged candidates, except those with pending litigation. However, it clarified that these results would not qualify the candidates for admission, as they had signed an agreement acknowledging that only those who met the minimum age and performance standards would be considered.
Additionally, JAMB revealed it would release the results of some candidates found to have engaged in “WhatsApp Runs” and other examination misdemeanours. The board, however, warned that this should not be seen as an endorsement of their actions but rather a one-time waiver. Candidates were advised to avoid participation in suspicious online groups moving forward.
JAMB also addressed concerns over alleged high scores in the cancelled UTME results from five southeastern states and Lagos, stating clearly that there were no high scorers in the affected sessions. The board said these claims were baseless and designed to mislead the public.
A high-profile case cited involved Mr. Olisa Gabriel Chukwuemeka, a student of Adekunle Ajasin University, who falsely claimed on social media to have scored 326 in the 2025 UTME. Investigations revealed he manipulated his actual 2024 UTME score of 203 and presented it as a 2025 result. His actual score in the 2025 UTME was 180 before the result was withdrawn.
JAMB confirmed that all results have now been released, except for those withheld due to confirmed examination infractions or for candidates scheduled for the mop-up test. The board also revealed that new discoveries by security agencies have led to the withdrawal of some previously released results of candidates implicated in fraudulent activities.
The board reiterated its commitment to upholding the integrity of the UTME and warned candidates and stakeholders against actions that may undermine the examination process.
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