The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has launched an urgent review of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) process following a wave of complaints from candidates and their parents. Many have reported issues ranging from technical malfunctions to scores that allegedly do not reflect candidates' actual performance.
This move comes just days after JAMB released the 2025 UTME results, sparking widespread backlash on social media with the trending hashtag #ThisIsNotMyResult.
Why This Matters
The UTME is Nigeria's gateway to higher education, and with nearly two million candidates sitting for the exam in 2025, any controversy affects a significant portion of the nation's student population. The credibility of the exam and trust in the admission process are now under scrutiny.
What Triggered the Review?
JAMB's spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, announced that the board received an “unusual volume of complaints” shortly after the results were released. These complaints prompted JAMB to fast-track its usual post-exam review, which typically happens months after the exam.
According to Sahara Reporters, over 1.5 million out of 1.9 million candidates scored below 200, sparking concern among students and educators alike.
Breakdown of the 2025 UTME Results
Here's a closer look at the result statistics released by JAMB, as reported by Punch:
- Only 0.63% (12,414 candidates) scored 300 and above.
- 3.76% scored between 250 and 299.
- 17.11% scored between 200 and 249.
- A whopping 50.29% (983,187 candidates) scored between 160 and 199.
- The rest—over 25%—scored below 160.
While the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, claims these trends are consistent with previous years, many students believe the 2025 edition was different—and not in a good way.
Candidates, Parents Demand Transparency
Thousands of candidates have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to share experiences of incomplete questions, glitches during the exam, and unexplainable score drops.
Some examples:
- A user with the handle @Pennyfabz, who had previously scored 285, received a 156 this year and demanded answers from JAMB.
- Another user, @quwam001, highlighted cases of students who had scores as high as 295 last year but ended up with scores around 130 in 2025.
Candidates also reported:
- Missing or blank questions.
- Inconsistent question displays during the exam.
- System glitches that affected their ability to finish or even start certain sections.
One parent expressed concerns:
“We demand a remark from JAMB. These are exceptional students scoring below 200. Many complained of incomplete questions and other technical issues.”
Legal Threats and Demands for Redress
Public outrage has now led to legal threats. According to Sahara Reporters, a law firm, Chambers of Evans Ufeli, has threatened to take legal action against JAMB, citing technical breakdowns and widespread failure.
In addition, education advocate Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare, claimed that over 11,000 complaints have already been filed by candidates. He emphasised the need for JAMB to release detailed mark sheets and investigate specific exam days, especially April 26, which reportedly had the worst technical issues.
What Is JAMB Doing About It?
In response to these concerns, JAMB has:
- Initiated a system-wide review covering registration, examination, and result release stages.
- Engaged external experts, including members from:
- Computer Professionals Association of Nigeria
- Vice Chancellors
- Chief External Examiners
- Educational Assessment and Research Network in Africa
JAMB promises that if any faults are confirmed, appropriate remedial measures will be taken—including possible rescheduling or correction of affected scores.
What's Next for Candidates?
Here's what concerned candidates and parents can do:
- Document and Submit Complaints: If you experienced technical issues or feel your score was affected, submit a detailed complaint to JAMB.
- Stay Updated: Follow official JAMB channels and credible education news sources like EduPadi for the latest developments.
- Prepare for Alternatives: Depending on the outcome of the review, JAMB may implement remedial steps or call for resits—affected candidates should be ready.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 UTME controversy is more than just about low scores—it's about fairness, transparency, and trust in Nigeria's educational systems. As JAMB begins its investigation, students, parents, and educators alike will be watching closely. EduPadi will continue to monitor this issue and provide timely updates.
Resources: Sahara Reporters, Punch's coverage on JAMB's remedial plans
