The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board will meet with education leaders on Thursday to review the 2025 UTME results following widespread complaints from candidates and parents.
The board made this known in a notice seen in Abuja, confirming that vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, school principals, examiners, and education experts will all be part of the meeting.
According to JAMB, the aim is to “identify challenges, if any, and give useful advice to stop such problems from happening again.”
This comes after thousands of candidates expressed shock and disappointment over their results, which were released last Friday. Many alleged that they faced technical issues during the exam or noticed errors in their scores.
JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said on Monday that the board is already reviewing its processes faster than usual due to the many complaints, especially from some states.
“We are particularly concerned about the unusual complaints originating from a few states,” Benjamin said. “We are looking into these issues to find and fix any technical problems.”
JAMB explained that the review will focus on three main areas: registration, the exam itself, and how results were released.
The 2025 UTME had over 1.9 million candidates, but more than 75 per cent scored below 200 out of the maximum 400 marks.
A total of 4,756 candidates, which is just 0.24 per cent, scored 320 and above. Another 7,658 candidates scored between 300 and 319, while 73,441 scored between 250 and 299. About 334,560 candidates scored between 200 and 249. The largest group, 983,187 candidates, representing 50.29 per cent, scored between 160 and 199. Another 488,197 scored between 140 and 159. A total of 57,419 scored between 120 and 139, while 3,820 scored between 100 and 119. Just 2,031 candidates scored below 100.
Several candidates are now calling for a remark or retest.
A social media user, Pennyfabz, wrote, “Dear JAMB, something is wrong with my result. I scored 285 last year and now 156? Please look into this matter. I don’t believe this is my real score.”
A parent also shared concerns: “We demand a remark from JAMB. These are exceptional students scoring below 200. Many complained of incomplete questions and other technical issues. JAMB has said nothing. This cannot be swept under the rug.”
So far, over 8,000 candidates have submitted formal complaints to JAMB.
Despite the uproar, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said this year’s results are not unusual. “The performance statistics are consistent with those of the last 12 years,” he said.
He pointed out that in 2024, 76 per cent of candidates scored below 200. In 2022, 78 per cent scored below 200 as well.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, also commented on the results. He said the high failure rate shows that the government’s efforts to stop exam malpractice are working.
“This is proof that JAMB’s system is now more reliable. We’re making sure that only those who truly earn their scores get into school,” he said.
However, JAMB said any candidate who faced technical problems during the test will get another chance to write the exam.
Amid the protests, one student stood out with an outstanding performance.
Afolabi Ayodeji, a 15-year-old student from Icons Comprehensive College in Akure, scored 370 out of 400 — the highest UTME score in over 10 years.
His subject scores were 98 in Mathematics, 98 in Physics, 94 in Chemistry, and 80 in Use of English.
“I didn’t set out to break any record. I just wanted to give my best,” Ayodeji said. “I thank God, my parents, and my teachers for believing in me.”
His record-breaking performance has become a rare bright spot in what many are calling a disappointing year for UTME results.
