In a development that has sparked widespread concern about the state of education in Nigeria, more than 1.5 million candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scored below 200 out of a possible 400 marks. The stark figures were released on Monday by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), underscoring the deep-rooted academic and systemic challenges facing Nigeria’s educational system.

According to the statistical breakdown provided by JAMB, only 420,415 candidates out of the 1,955,069 who registered and sat for the exam managed to score above 200. This means approximately 75% of all participants scored below the midpoint, raising questions about the quality of education, exam preparedness, and instructional delivery across primary and secondary levels.

Even more alarming is the fact that less than 1% of all candidates scored above 300, a threshold generally recognized as exceptional performance and typically associated with admission into top-tier programs such as medicine, law, and engineering.

Widespread Failure Highlights National Education Crisis

The latest figures further emphasize the recurring trend of poor UTME performance, reflecting a persistent problem that has plagued the nation for several years. From 2018 to 2023, JAMB’s records have often pointed to low average scores and poor performance in core subjects such as Mathematics, English, and Sciences. However, the 2025 edition represents one of the most dramatic gaps in candidate performance seen in recent times.

In its official statement, JAMB expressed concern over the situation, noting the wide disparity between the number of registered candidates and those who achieved meaningful scores.

Underage Candidates Fail to Meet Exceptional Criteria

Interestingly, JAMB disclosed that 40,247 underage candidates—typically seen as precocious students allowed to participate based on perceived academic excellence—were permitted to sit for the exam. However, of this group, only 467 students (just 1.16%) scored high enough to meet the board’s benchmark for exceptional ability.

These figures challenge the assumption that underage participation correlates with high aptitude and may lead to stricter age-related policies in future exams.

The board noted that these young candidates must also undergo three additional assessment stages to determine their true academic competency and possible placement.

Integrity Issues Persist: Over 2,200 Candidates Under Investigation

While performance dominated the headlines, JAMB also revealed ongoing concerns regarding the integrity of the examination. A total of 97 candidates were caught red-handed engaging in malpractice, and an additional 2,157 are currently under investigation for suspected cheating or exam infractions. The board emphasized its zero-tolerance policy for exam fraud and noted that those found guilty will face full sanctions, including possible disqualification.

Additionally, 71,701 candidates were marked as absent, a figure which includes those unable to attend due to logistics issues, health, or personal emergencies. Candidates facing biometric verification challenges are being assessed further. JAMB clarified that those who are cleared after the investigation will be rescheduled for a fresh examination at specially designated centres.

Results of Blind and Special Needs Candidates Still Pending

JAMB also stated that a portion of results, including those of blind candidates and members of the JEOG (Joint Equal Opportunity Group), are still being processed. The delay, according to the board, is due to the special arrangements made to accommodate their unique exam formats and scoring methods.

These candidates’ results are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, following thorough review and evaluation.

Full Result Release and Candidate Access Coming Soon

JAMB announced that it will hold a press conference later in the week to formally declare the release of individual UTME scores and guide candidates on how to check their results. This move aims to ensure transparency, public engagement, and clarity regarding the performance assessment process.

During the upcoming press event, JAMB is also expected to provide more granular analysis on subject-wise performance, state-by-state breakdowns, and data insights into trends affecting education quality and outcomes across Nigeria.

Calls for Reform Grow Stronger

Following the release of the 2025 UTME results, educational stakeholders, parents, and policymakers are calling for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s basic and secondary education sectors. Critics argue that the persistent underperformance in national exams such as the UTME reflects inadequate teacher training, poor curriculum alignment with university readiness, and systemic issues in school infrastructure and student welfare.

Analysts note that many candidates continue to suffer from poor foundational knowledge, with government schools particularly affected by overcrowded classrooms, insufficient instructional materials, and lack of qualified teaching personnel.

While the Nigerian government has launched several initiatives in recent years—such as digital learning platforms, improved teacher recruitment, and partnerships with international education agencies—progress remains uneven, and the UTME results make clear that deeper interventions are necessary.

JAMB Urges Parents, Teachers to Support Early Preparation

In its statement, JAMB urged parents, school administrators, and teachers to begin preparing students for tertiary entrance examinations well in advance, emphasizing the importance of early exposure to core academic subjects and the need to instill discipline and exam ethics among candidates.

The board also emphasized that performance in UTME is not merely a reflection of student effort but also a mirror of Nigeria’s overall education system.

Looking Ahead: What the 2025 UTME Results Mean for Admission

With only about 21% of candidates scoring above 200, tertiary institutions in Nigeria may face difficulties meeting their admission quotas, particularly in competitive programs. Universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education will need to re-strategize their admission frameworks, possibly increasing the weight of post-UTME screenings or conducting additional entrance exams to filter candidates.

JAMB, for its part, has reiterated its commitment to improving the integrity, accessibility, and fairness of the UTME in future editions. However, the responsibility for addressing this educational emergency, stakeholders agree, lies far beyond JAMB—it is a national issue that demands coordinated action.