KEY POINTS

• JAMB released results for over 1.9 million 2025 UTME candidates but withheld 39,834 due to suspected exam malpractice.

• Only 0.63% of candidates scored above 300, while 78% scored below 200, sparking concerns over education quality.

• 80 suspects are under investigation, and 50 have been directly linked to cheating; Anambra State recorded the highest number of suspected cases.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with a warning that thousands of results have been withheld due to suspected exam malpractices.

JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, made the announcement during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, stating that over 1.9 million candidates across Nigeria sat for the examination, which determines eligibility for admission into higher institutions.

“Out of the total number of candidates who registered and participated, 39,834 results are currently being withheld pending further investigations into various allegations of malpractice,” Oloyede revealed.

According to SaharaReporters, the registrar disclosed that 80 individuals are under active investigation for offences ranging from impersonation to collusion and the use of unauthorized devices. Anambra State recorded the highest number of suspects, with 14 individuals reportedly involved.

Low performance rate

While JAMB did not report any systemic breaches, the examination body expressed concern about the overall performance of candidates. According to Oloyede, only 12,414 candidates — about 0.63% — scored above 300 marks out of a possible 400.

Furthermore, 22% of candidates (approximately 420,415 students) scored between 200 and 300 marks, while a staggering 78% scored below 200, raising fresh concerns about the quality of secondary education and exam preparedness nationwide.

“These numbers point to broader systemic issues in education delivery, especially at the pre-tertiary level,” said an education consultant, Dr. Amina Adedeji. “It’s a wake-up call for all stakeholders, from teachers and parents to policymakers.”

The Board also flagged 467 underage candidates who nonetheless achieved scores above the national cut-off mark. Though JAMB did not clarify immediate sanctions, the agency stressed that verifying the eligibility of these candidates remains a priority.

Oloyede added that 50 candidates were conclusively linked to cheating, through surveillance footage, biometric inconsistencies, or reports from on-site supervisors. “These cases are being handled in accordance with our disciplinary guidelines,” he said.

JAMB has advised all candidates to check their individual scores by texting “RESULT” followed by their registration number to either 55019 or 66019. Those whose results are being withheld will receive separate communication regarding their status as investigations proceed.

The UTME is one of the most competitive standardized examinations in Nigeria, used for university and polytechnic admissions. Each year, concerns over fraud, impersonation, and access to quality education dominate post-exam discourse.

Meanwhile, stakeholders have urged the Ministry of Education to intensify efforts in improving digital literacy, upgrading testing infrastructure, and enforcing stricter entry requirements to curb malpractice.

“We need a long-term fix that addresses both the desperation to cheat and the weaknesses that allow it to happen,” said a senior lecturer at the University of Lagos.

As JAMB moves forward with its investigations and trial preparations for implicated individuals, the fate of thousands of candidates hangs in the balance. The board insists that transparency and integrity will remain the cornerstone of its examination process.