JAMB Reveals Only 1.16% of Underage UTME Candidates Show Exceptional Ability

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed that just 467 of the 40,247 underage candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) — representing 1.16% — demonstrated exceptional academic ability.

This figure emerged from the 1,955,069 UTME results processed so far, according to the report.

In a statement posted on its official X handle (@JAMBHQ) on Monday, the board noted that while underage candidates were given the opportunity to showcase their academic prowess, “their performance in the subsequent three stages is still pending,” suggesting that further evaluation is ongoing.

JAMB also highlighted troubling cases of misconduct and absenteeism during the 2025 UTME.

“A total of 97 candidates were involved in examination infractions,” the board stated, while 2,157 others are currently under investigation for alleged malpractice.

Equally concerning was the number of candidates who failed to appear for the exam. “71,701 candidates were absent,” JAMB disclosed, though it provided no specific reasons for their absence.

The board also addressed persistent challenges with biometric verification. “Candidates facing biometric challenges are under investigation, and those who are cleared will be rescheduled for examination at designated centres,” it added.

Furthermore, some results are still being processed, including those of blind candidates and others under the JEOG category.

JAMB announced that a press conference has been scheduled to provide further updates. During the event, individual results will be formally released and access to result-checking portals will be enabled for all candidates.

2025 UTME: Statistical Breakdown

A detailed breakdown of the 2025 UTME results shows that the majority of candidates scored below 200 — the benchmark for many competitive courses.

According to JAMB:

Only 4,756 candidates (0.24%) scored 320 and above.

7,658 candidates (0.39%) scored between 300–319.

  This brings the total number of candidates who scored 300 and above to 12,414 (0.63%).

In the moderately competitive band:

73,441 candidates (3.76%) scored between 250–299.

334,560 candidates (17.11%) scored between 200–249.

Most candidates fell within the mid-to-low performance range:

983,187 candidates (50.29%) scored between 160–199 — widely considered the minimum threshold for admission into many institutions.

488,197 candidates (24.97%) scored between 140–159.

57,419 candidates (2.94%) scored between 120–139.

3,820 candidates (0.20%) scored between 100–119.

2,031 candidates (0.10%) scored below 100.

Key Takeaways:

Over 75% of candidates scored below 200, highlighting concerns about overall performance.

Just 0.63% attained scores of 300 and above, placing them in the elite performance category.

More than 50% scored between 160–199, indicating a concentration around average performance levels.