JAMB: Only 1.16% of Underage UTME Candidates Show Exceptional Academic Ability
Out of the 40,247 underage candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), only 467 — representing 1.16% — qualified for the “exceptional ability” category, according to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
This data is drawn from a total of 1,955,069 processed UTME results, as reported by PUNCH Online.
In a statement posted via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, @JAMBHQ, on Monday, the Board noted that while underage candidates were allowed to participate in the exam under a special dispensation for exceptionally gifted individuals, their evaluation is still ongoing, with results for the remaining assessment stages pending.
Misconduct, Absenteeism, and Technical Issues
JAMB also highlighted several troubling trends in the 2025 UTME, including exam misconduct, absenteeism, and biometric verification issues.
According to the Board:
- 97 candidates were found to have committed examination infractions.
- 2,157 others are under investigation for suspected malpractice.
- A significant number — 71,701 candidates — failed to show up for the exam, though reasons for their absence were not detailed.
Additionally, candidates who faced biometric verification issues are currently being reviewed. Those cleared will be rescheduled to sit for the examination at designated centres. Some results, including those of blind candidates and others in the JEOG category, are still being processed.
JAMB also announced an upcoming press conference where more details will be provided, and candidates will gain access to the online portal to check their results.
UTME 2025: Performance Breakdown
Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede had earlier clarified that candidates under 16 could participate in the UTME through the board’s “Exceptionally Brilliant Window.”
A detailed analysis of the 2025 results revealed that the majority of candidates scored below 200, a common benchmark for admission into many Nigerian universities. Highlights include:
- 4,756 candidates (0.24%) scored 320 and above.
- 7,658 candidates (0.39%) scored between 300–319.
- 12,414 candidates (0.63%) scored 300 and above in total.
In mid-range performance:
- 73,441 candidates (3.76%) scored between 250–299.
- 334,560 candidates (17.11%) scored between 200–249.
The majority of scores fell into the lower bands:
- 983,187 candidates (50.29%) scored between 160–199.
- 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.
- Only 0.63% scored 300 and above — placing them in the top academic tier.
- More than half of all candidates scored between 160–199, highlighting a concentration of average performance levels.
