The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed that just 467 out of 40,247 underage candidates who took part in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) — amounting to 1.16% — met the criteria to be classified under the "exceptional ability" category. This figure is drawn from the total of 1,955,069 results processed for the year, according to DIP CONNECTS ONLINE NEWS.
In a statement shared via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle @JAMBHQ, the Board stated that although these underage candidates were allowed to demonstrate their academic talents, “their performance in the subsequent three stages is still pending,” signifying that their final evaluation is ongoing.
Misconduct and Absenteeism
JAMB also revealed troubling incidents of exam misconduct and absenteeism during the 2025 UTME. A total of 97 candidates were caught in exam infractions, while 2,157 others are under investigation for suspected malpractice. Additionally, 71,701 candidates failed to show up for the exam. No specific reasons were immediately given for the absences.
Biometric verification issues—an ongoing concern in recent UTME cycles—were also addressed. The Board noted that candidates who experienced biometric challenges are currently under investigation, and those cleared will be rescheduled for the exam at designated centres.
Furthermore, results for some categories of candidates, including those who are visually impaired and others in the JEOG group, are still undergoing processing.
A press conference has been scheduled to provide further updates. During this briefing, JAMB will release individual results and open the result-checking portal to all candidates.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, had earlier announced in February that the board would allow exceptionally gifted candidates under the age of 16 to register for the UTME through a special “Exceptionally Brilliant Window.”
2025 UTME Results: Statistical Breakdown
JAMB's statistical breakdown of the 2025 UTME shows that the majority of candidates scored below the 200 mark, the common threshold for admission into most universities and competitive courses.
Out of the 1,955,069 candidates:
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4,756 candidates (0.24%) scored 320 and above, the highest performance tier.
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7,658 candidates (0.39%) scored between 300–319, bringing the total number scoring 300 and above to 12,414 (0.63%).
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73,441 candidates (3.76%) scored between 250–299.
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334,560 candidates (17.11%) scored between 200–249.
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983,187 candidates (50.29%) scored between 160–199, widely accepted as the minimum entry point for many institutions.
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488,197 candidates (24.97%) scored between 140–159.
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57,419 candidates (2.94%) scored between 120–139.
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3,820 candidates (0.20%) scored between 100–119.
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2,031 candidates (0.10%) scored below 100.
Key Insights
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Over 75% of candidates scored below 200, indicating a general trend toward average performance.
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Just 0.63% of candidates reached the 300-and-above bracket, placing them in the elite category.
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The largest share of candidates (over 50%) clustered in the 160–199 range, reinforcing concerns about widespread learning gaps.
The findings underline both the scale of academic challenges and the critical need for targeted interventions in Nigeria’s educational system.
