UTME 2025: JAMB Announces Review of Results Amidst Widespread Protests Over Low Scores

Abuja, Nigeria – The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it will conduct an expedited review of the recently released 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results following a significant outcry from candidates and parents nationwide. The announcement, made by the board’s spokesperson, Mr. Fabian Benjamin, comes in response to a wave of complaints, particularly from certain states, citing unusually low scores and alleged technical glitches during the examination.

This development follows the release of the 2025 UTME results last Friday, which indicated that over 78% of the 1.9 million candidates who participated in the examination scored below 200 out of a possible 400. This statistical outcome sparked widespread discontent, with many candidates taking to social media under the hashtag #thisisnotmyresult to contest their scores, citing discrepancies and technical issues such as incomplete questions and system malfunctions in Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers.
In response to these concerns, JAMB stated that it is fast-tracking its annual system review, a comprehensive post-mortem of the examination process typically conducted later in the year. The board emphasized that this review will encompass all critical stages, including registration, the examination itself, and the result release process.

“We are particularly concerned about the unusual complaints originating from a few states within the federation,” Mr. Benjamin stated. “We are currently scrutinizing these complaints in detail to identify and rectify any potential technical issues.”

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To ensure a thorough and impartial review, JAMB has engaged a panel of experts, including members of the Computer Professionals Association of Nigeria (CPAN), chief external examiners who are heads of tertiary institutions, the Educational Assessment and Research Network in Africa (EARN), measurement experts, and vice-chancellors from various universities.

“If it is determined that there were indeed glitches, we will implement appropriate remedial measures promptly, as we do in the case of the examinations themselves,” Mr. Benjamin assured. He further explained that JAMB has a track record of rescheduling examinations for candidates affected by technical issues, demonstrating a commitment to ensuring fairness.

While JAMB has acknowledged the concerns and commenced this review, it is important to note that the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, had previously stated that the overall performance in the 2025 UTME aligns with trends observed in previous years.

Similarly, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, suggested that the high percentage of low scores could be indicative of the government’s successful efforts in curbing examination malpractice.
However, these assertions have done little to quell the anxieties of candidates and parents who believe the results do not accurately reflect the students’ performance. Some candidates have reported instances of missing questions and abrupt system shutdowns during the examination.

Meanwhile, some stakeholders, like the Executive Director of Education Rights Initiative (ERI), Dr. Olatunji Alausa (not to be confused with the Minister), have argued that the low scores reflect a more stringent examination process and the impact of measures against malpractice. Conversely, others view the mass failure as a symptom of deeper issues within the nation’s education system.

Adding another layer to the unfolding situation, reports indicate that some candidates are organizing for potential legal action against JAMB, citing alleged systemic inefficiencies and demanding the release of detailed marking schemes for score verification.

As JAMB proceeds with its review, the nation awaits the outcome, hoping for a resolution that upholds the integrity of the examination process while addressing the genuine concerns raised by candidates. The board has urged the public to remain patient as the review progresses, reiterating its commitment to a fair and transparent process.