KEY POINTS

• JAMB has released the 2025 UTME resit results for over 336,000 candidates, with more than 21,000 absent from the rescheduled exams.

• Results withheld due to irregularities, including underage candidates and digital exam fraud, have been partially released, though ineligible candidates remain barred from admission.

• The board is revoking some earlier released results based on new evidence of malpractice and has warned against engaging with online exam cheating groups.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the official release of the results from the 2025 rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.

AAN TV reports that the UTME resit was organised for candidates who were unable to complete the original examination due to technical disruptions experienced in several centres across Nigeria.

This disclosure was made by JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, in an official statement on Saturday.

According to the board, a total of 336,845 candidates were invited to participate in the rescheduled exam after their earlier sessions were deemed compromised or incomplete. However, 21,082 of these candidates did not appear for the UTME resit.

“Of the 336,845 who were eventually scheduled after excluding isolated compromised sessions from affected centres and incorporating previously unverified candidates, 21,082 were absent,” read the statement.

JAMB affirms integrity of released UTME results

In a move reflecting both transparency and stern enforcement, the board also released results that had previously been withheld due to age-related issues or suspected examination misconduct. These include results of underage candidates and those linked to digital malpractice groups such as the notorious “WhatsApp Runs” syndicates.

JAMB clarified, however, that despite releasing some of these withheld results, candidates who fall below the minimum age requirement for tertiary admission remain ineligible for placement. “These candidates had earlier signed an undertaking acknowledging that only those who meet the prescribed standards would be considered for special admission,” JAMB explained.

The decision to release the resit results followed a rigorous validation process undertaken by JAMB’s Chief External Examiners (CEEs) nationwide. A dedicated sub-committee led by Professor Olufemi Peters, Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria and CEE for the Federal Capital Territory, was established to scrutinize the data and ensure the integrity of results.

Prominent psychometrics expert, Professor Boniface Nworgu, was also involved in the assessment. His analysis and endorsement were critical to finalizing the results for release, according to the board.

In addressing concerns related to exam irregularities, JAMB emphasized that the release of results linked to malpractice cases does not condone cheating. “These candidates are strongly advised to desist from associating with dubious online groups,” the board cautioned. It described the decision as a “one-time waiver” intended to balance fairness with deterrence.

The board also revealed that while all eligible results have been released, some results will remain withheld. These include those of candidates found guilty of severe infractions and others who are scheduled for mop-up examinations.

Moreover, in light of ongoing investigations led by security agencies, JAMB has begun revoking certain results that were previously released. These decisions are based on new evidence confirming involvement in fraudulent activity. Affected candidates will be notified via SMS, email, and their JAMB profiles.

In a separate clarification, JAMB addressed public confusion over its SMS-based result checking system, using shortcodes 55019 and 66019. The board stated that charges associated with the system are not a revenue stream for JAMB, but rather a safeguard against data exploitation at unauthorized cybercafés.

As students and parents check their scores, JAMB advised the public to avoid excessive or repeated result-checking, particularly through third-party channels, to prevent misinformation and potential data breaches.

The release of the resit results marks the conclusion of a complex exercise aimed at ensuring fairness and accountability within Nigeria’s largest university entrance examination. The board reaffirmed its commitment to rooting out malpractice and restoring integrity in the admission process.