By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE JOINT Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released a detailed statistical breakdown of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), revealing that 80 per cent of candidates scored below the 200-mark threshold.
A total of 1,955,069 candidates participated in the nationwide examination. Of these, 1,534,654 scored between 100 and 199, accounting for the bulk of test-takers.
According to data made public on Monday morning, only 4,756 candidates—representing a mere 0.24 per cent—scored 320 and above. An additional 7,658 candidates, or 0.39 per cent, earned scores between 300 and 319.
When combined, those scoring 300 or higher totalled just 12,414 candidates, or 0.63 per cent of all who sat the exam.
Candidates in the 250–299 range numbered 73,441, making up 3.76 per cent.
A more substantial group of 334,560 candidates scored between 200 and 249, representing 17.11 per cent.
Scores between 160 and 199 dominated the statistics, with 983,187 candidates—equivalent to 50.29 per cent—falling within this range. Another 488,197 test-takers (24.97 per cent) scored between 140 and 159, while 57,419 candidates (2.94 per cent) achieved results between 120 and 139.
Only 3,820 candidates (0.20 per cent) scored between 100 and 119, and a minimal 2,031 (0.10 per cent) fell below the 100 marks.
Among the test-takers were 40,247 underage candidates, permitted to take the UTME to demonstrate early academic potential.
However, just 467 of them—1.16 per cent—achieved scores considered indicative of exceptional ability. Their eligibility for progression remains under review, pending further evaluation stages.
Some results remain pending, particularly those of blind candidates and others registered under the JEOG (Joint Examination of the Gifted) category, whose assessments are still being finalised.
Examination integrity concerns also featured in the report. A total of 97 candidates were directly implicated in confirmed infractions. Meanwhile, 2,157 others are currently under investigation for alleged involvement in malpractices.
Additionally, 71,701 registered candidates were recorded as absent.
JAMB noted that cases involving biometric verification failures are ongoing. Candidates who are cleared will be rescheduled to take the UTME at designated centres.
The board reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring fairness, transparency, and the integrity of Nigeria’s university admission process.