Firstsitenews-The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will meet on Thursday to review the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results following a surge of public outcry and dissatisfaction.
An official notice obtained by The PUNCH in Abuja confirmed that the review meeting will involve vice-chancellors, provosts, rectors, school principals, examiners, and technical experts. Their goal is to thoroughly assess the examination process and address concerns raised by candidates, parents, and other stakeholders.
This development follows widespread protests over the results released last Friday, with many alleging irregularities and technical glitches during the exam.
The review panel includes representatives from key educational and professional bodies such as the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, and the Educational Assessment and Research Network. Senior officials from various tertiary institutions will also participate.
“To maintain public trust in our examination process, the Board has invited you to serve on the review panel, tasked with identifying any challenges in the conduct of the exam and recommending solutions to prevent future issues,” part of the notice reads.
The panel’s work will be carried out without any financial burden on JAMB.
The UTME, a major requirement for university admission in Nigeria, tests candidates in four subjects, including the compulsory Use of English. The other three subjects are selected based on each candidate’s intended course of study.
Of the 1.9 million candidates who took the 2025 UTME, over 1.5 million scored below 200 out of a possible 400 — sparking serious concern in the education sector.
According to JAMB, a total of 1,955,069 results were released. Among them, only 4,756 candidates (0.24%) scored 320 and above, while another 7,658 (0.39%) scored between 300 and 319. Altogether, just 12,414 candidates (0.63%) scored 300 or more.
A further 73,441 candidates (3.76%) scored between 250 and 299, and 334,560 (17.11%) scored between 200 and 249. Meanwhile, the majority — 983,187 candidates (50.29%) — scored between 160 and 199, considered the minimum acceptable range for admission into many institutions.
Lower scores were also recorded: 488,197 candidates (24.97%) scored between 140 and 159, 57,419 (2.94%) between 120 and 139, 3,820 (0.20%) between 100 and 119, and 2,031 (0.10%) below 100.
With more than 75% of candidates scoring below 200, frustration has mounted, with some students even threatening legal action against JAMB.
In response, JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said the board is expediting its annual post-examination review process, which typically takes place months after the UTME.
“We are particularly concerned about the unusual volume of complaints, especially from certain states,” Benjamin noted. “We are now examining those complaints closely to identify and correct any possible technical issues.”
He explained that the board’s post-exam review includes three core phases: registration, the conduct of the exam, and the release of results. He also emphasized that JAMB ensures all candidates have a fair chance to sit for the test and reschedules exams for those affected by verified technical problems.
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