The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the results of the 2025 mop-up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which was conducted nationwide on Saturday, June 28, 2025. This special examination was designed for candidates who missed earlier sessions due to biometric issues, scheduling problems, or other valid reasons.

At the same time, the examination body revealed the outcome of a major operation targeting a criminal syndicate responsible for producing counterfeit admission letters. This crackdown resulted in arrests, prosecutions, and further investigations affecting thousands of candidates across Nigeria.

Exam Turnout and Result Access

JAMB announced that 96,838 candidates were scheduled to sit for the mop-up UTME. However, only 11,161 candidates actually turned up to participate in the exam. According to the board, the remaining candidates either failed to appear or did not comply with the necessary verification procedures.

The results for those who were present and completed the exam have now been made available. Candidates who have trouble accessing their scores were advised to ensure they follow the correct result retrieval process: sending the word “UTMERESULT” as a single message to 55019 or 66019 using the same mobile number used during registration.

This method remains the only approved process for checking UTME results, and any deviation may result in failure to access results.

Why the Mop-Up Exam Was Necessary

The June 28 mop-up examination catered to candidates who either missed the initial UTME in April or were unable to sit for the rescheduled session in May. It also covered a specific group that encountered biometric verification challenges during earlier exams, making them ineligible to write the test at that time.

JAMB described this mop-up effort as a one-time gesture intended to give these students another opportunity in the 2025 admission cycle. The board emphasized that it had no obligation to organize this special exam but did so in the spirit of fairness and inclusivity.

Ongoing Fight Against Fake Admission Letters

Beyond administering exams, JAMB has been waging a war against fraud in the admissions process. In a recent update, the board provided fresh details about a syndicate that had been producing fraudulent admission letters and selling them to unsuspecting candidates seeking tertiary education placements.

The board’s investigation, in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), began following a formal complaint submitted by JAMB and a joint press conference held in April 2024. That operation eventually led to the arrest of five key individuals who were central to the operation.

These suspects have confessed to their involvement in creating and distributing fake admission letters to candidates in exchange for payment. They are currently facing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where their prosecution is ongoing.

Over 17,000 Candidates Linked to Forgery Scheme

JAMB disclosed that its internal audit and data screening processes have identified a staggering 17,417 candidates as direct or indirect beneficiaries of these forged admission letters.

Out of this number:

• 6,903 candidates were later cleared after JAMB verified their documents and found only minor discrepancies. These candidates were allowed to regularize their records without facing penalties.

• The remaining 10,514 candidates were referred to designated police investigation offices across the country. Among them:

  • 5,669 were discovered to have knowingly obtained falsified admission letters.

  • 4,832 attempted to sidestep legitimate admission processes that had been made available under a ministerial waiver covering undisclosed admissions between 2017 and 2020. Rather than going through the correct procedures, they sought the help of the criminal syndicate.

Special Consideration for 13 Flagged Candidates

In addition, 13 other candidates were flagged due to errors or omissions in their admission records. According to JAMB, these students were initially processed under the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) which was introduced in 2017.

After a thorough review during a meeting held on July 5, 2025, JAMB resolved that these students should be permitted to correct their records and reprint legitimate letters of admission. They were found to be among the 6,903 candidates whose issues were regarded as procedural rather than fraudulent.

The affected candidates were spread across the following institutions:

• Bayero University Kano (2)

• Enugu State University of Science and Technology (2)

• Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri (1)

• Federal University of Technology, Akure (1)

• Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (1)

• Yaba College of Technology (1)

• Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye (1)

• Osun State Polytechnic, Ire (1)

• Ben Idahosa University, Benin City (1)

• Obong University, Obong Ntak (1)

• University of Ilorin (1)

Over 1,500 Candidates Cautioned

JAMB also announced that 1,532 candidates were issued formal warnings after investigations showed that although their accounts were difficult to validate, their institutions eventually processed their admissions through legitimate waiver procedures.

The board stated that these candidates would not face prosecution for now but stressed that this leniency would not be repeated in the future. They are now considered to have been “condoned with caution” under the authority of their admitting institutions.

Ongoing Investigations for Thousands

Another group of approximately 3,300 candidates remains under investigation as of June 2025. These individuals either failed to meet the requirements for admission or were found to have pursued their admission through unauthorized channels that bypassed institutional and JAMB verification processes.

JAMB said it would continue screening these candidates on a case-by-case basis, and anyone found guilty of manipulating the admission process will face appropriate legal consequences.

Zero Tolerance for Admission Fraud

JAMB reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for any form of examination malpractice or admission fraud. The board emphasized that it will continue to enforce the provisions of the Examination Malpractices Act, and all offenders—regardless of their age or affiliations—will be prosecuted.

It also warned parents, school administrators, and third-party agents against aiding or abetting illegal admissions. JAMB confirmed that all its systems, including CAPS, are now tightly secured and monitored to prevent unauthorized access or manipulation.

Conclusion: Reform and Vigilance Going Forward

The release of the mop-up UTME results and the board’s extensive crackdown on fake admission letters reflect JAMB’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary admission system. As it continues to strengthen its internal systems, candidates are urged to rely solely on official communication channels and avoid shortcuts that could jeopardize their academic future.

With more reforms in the pipeline, JAMB looks set to restore greater transparency and trust in Nigeria’s university admission process—ensuring that only qualified and properly screened candidates gain entry into the nation’s institutions of higher learning.