Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed that only a small fraction of underage candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) achieved exceptional scores. Out of 40,247 candidates under the age of 16, just 467 – a mere 1.16% – were classified under the exceptional ability category.
This figure comes from a total of 1,955,069 processed results for the year, according to PUNCH Online reports. In a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), JAMB noted that while these younger candidates were permitted to demonstrate their academic abilities, their performance in subsequent evaluation stages is still pending.
The examination body also highlighted significant issues of misconduct and absenteeism during the 2025 UTME. JAMB reported that 97 candidates were involved in examination infractions, and a further 2,157 are currently under investigation for suspected malpractices.
A substantial number of registered candidates, 71,701, were absent from the exam altogether, although JAMB did not provide an immediate breakdown of the reasons for their non-participation.
Biometric verification challenges, a recurring problem in recent years, were also addressed. JAMB stated that candidates facing such issues are under investigation and will be rescheduled for the examination at designated centres if cleared. Additionally, the results of some candidates, including those who are blind and others in the JEOG group, are still being processed.
JAMB has scheduled a press conference to provide further details and to announce the individual results, at which point access to online result-checking portals will be enabled for all candidates.
Earlier in the year, JAMB Registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede had announced a special “Exceptionally Brilliant Window” allowing students below the age of 16 to register for the UTME.
Statistical Breakdown of 2025 UTME Results:
A broader analysis of the 2025 UTME results indicates that the majority of candidates scored below 200, with only a tiny fraction achieving top-tier scores.
- Only 4,756 candidates (0.24%) scored 320 and above.
- A further 7,658 candidates (0.39%) scored between 300 and 319, bringing the total scoring 300 or higher to 12,414 (0.63%).
- In the more competitive range, 73,441 candidates (3.76%) scored between 250 and 299, and 334,560 candidates (17.11%) scored between 200 and 249.
- The largest segment of candidates, 983,187 (50.29%), scored between 160 and 199, often considered the minimum threshold for admission to many institutions.
- A significant number also scored in the lower ranges: 488,197 (24.97%) between 140 and 159; 57,419 (2.94%) between 120 and 139; 3,820 (0.20%) between 100 and 119; and 2,031 (0.10%) scored below 100.
These statistics reveal that over 75% of all candidates scored below the 200 mark, a common benchmark for many university courses. Only a small elite group, less than 1%, achieved scores of 300 and above, while the majority clustered around the mid-range of 160-199.
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