The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is under intense scrutiny following the release of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, which show that more than 1.5 million out of the 1.95 million candidates who sat for the exam scored below 200 out of a possible 400 marks.
The results, released earlier this month, sparked outrage among students, parents, and education stakeholders across the country, with many expressing shock over what they described as unusually poor performance. Social media has since been awash with complaints and disbelief, as several candidates claim their scores do not reflect their level of preparation or performance in mock exams.
In a swift response to the public backlash, JAMB announced the immediate launch of a comprehensive review of the entire 2025 UTME process. According to the examination body, the review panel will include members of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, seasoned educationists, and vice-chancellors from select universities. The review will cover all critical stages of the exam—from registration and test administration to result processing.
Despite the growing discontent, JAMB’s Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, defended the integrity of the examination. He maintained that the results reflect a realistic assessment of candidates’ performance and are consistent with national standards over the past decade. He further stated that the low scores may be attributed to the board’s continued crackdown on examination malpractice, which has significantly reduced opportunities for cheating.
However, critics have argued that the mass failure exposes deeper issues within the Nigerian educational system. Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, described the results as a national embarrassment. He attributed the poor outcomes to systemic neglect and called for an urgent overhaul of the education sector.
Meanwhile, education rights advocates and some aggrieved candidates are threatening legal action. Tech entrepreneur and education advocate, Alex Onyia, has announced plans to initiate a class-action lawsuit on behalf of affected students. The suit will reportedly demand full transparency in JAMB’s scoring process and access to candidates’ exam scripts.
With calls for accountability growing louder, JAMB has appealed for calm and urged candidates who have concerns about their scores to follow the official complaint channels. The board reiterated its commitment to ensuring fairness, credibility, and transparency in Nigeria’s tertiary admissions process.
As the nation awaits the outcome of JAMB’s internal review, the 2025 UTME results have reignited debates about the quality of education, the preparedness of students, and the effectiveness of existing examination policies in the country.
