JAMB Releases 2025 UTME Performance Statistics: Over 1.5 Million Candidates Score Below 200

he Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released a detailed statistical report on the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), offering key insights into the performance of candidates across Nigeria.

A Look at the Numbers

According to the report, a total of 1,955,069 candidates registered and sat for the 2025 UTME. Out of this number, over 1.5 million candidates scored below 200, highlighting a major concern in overall performance and academic preparedness.

At the top of the performance chart:

• 4,756 candidates scored above 320.
• 7,658 candidates scored between 300 and 319.

These figures represent a small fraction of the total examinees, emphasizing the stiff competition for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

Underage Candidates and Exceptional Performance

In a move to encourage gifted students, 40,247 underage candidates were allowed to take part in the examination. However, only 467 candidates (approximately 1.16%) from this group were able to meet the performance threshold defined by JAMB as indicative of exceptional ability.

Exam Malpractice and Absenteeism

Despite stringent security measures, the examination was not without cases of malpractice. JAMB disclosed that:

• 97 candidates were directly involved in examination infractions.
• 2,157 candidates are currently under investigation for suspected examination malpractice.

Furthermore, 71,701 candidates were reported absent during the examination period.

Conclusion

The 2025 UTME performance statistics reflect both the challenges and the promise within Nigeria’s educational system. While a significant majority of candidates struggled to score above average, a notable few demonstrated exceptional academic potential. As stakeholders digest this data, it serves as a call to action for students, educators, and policymakers alike to invest more in learning outcomes and exam integrity across the country.