Performance Has Dropped Drastically’ – JAMB Compares 2025 UTME to 2013 CBT Launch in Bombshell Report

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) resit conducted for candidates affected by technical disruptions at certain centres.

According to reports, a total of 336,845 candidates were rescheduled for the resit, but 21,082 candidates failed to show up. JAMB did not elaborate on the reasons for this significant absentee count.

The release of the results was confirmed in an official statement issued on Sunday morning by Fabian Benjamin, the board’s Public Communication Advisor.

Key highlights from the board’s announcement include:

i. Sub-Committee Formation

A sub-committee led by Prof. Olufemi Peters, Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University and Chief External Examiner (CEE) for the FCT, was established to verify the integrity of the results.

ii. Validation and Release of Resit Results

The Committee of External Examiners (CEEs) reviewed the conduct of the resit and mandated Prof. Boniface Nworgu, a psychometrics expert, to analyze and approve the results before public release.

iii. Results for Underage Candidates

As part of its reconciliation process, JAMB resolved to release the results of underage candidates whose performances were below standard—except in cases with ongoing litigation. However, such results do not qualify these candidates for admission, as they had previously signed undertakings acknowledging that only those who meet minimum requirements would be considered.

iv. Candidates Involved in ‘WhatsApp Runs’ and Malpractice

JAMB also released results for candidates found to have sought illicit support via social media groups such as WhatsApp. While the board emphasized that this decision does not condone their actions, it was granted as a one-time waiver. Candidates were warned to avoid participation in suspicious or anti-social online groups moving forward.

v. Waiver for Absent Candidates

Despite a resit attendance rate exceeding 93%, the board extended a special waiver to absent candidates, allowing them to participate in the regular annual mop-up examination. This applies to both those who missed the resit and those who were absent from the main UTME.

vi. Sanctions on Compromised CBT Centres

JAMB condemned certain CBT centres involved in serious registration and examination malpractice. These centres have been blacklisted, and the board resolved that their owners, as well as individuals responsible for altering candidates’ photos and biometrics, be prosecuted.

vii. Concerns Over Tutorial Centres

The board expressed alarm over the role of unregulated tutorial centres in encouraging exam malpractice. JAMB urged federal and state governments to introduce strict licensing and monitoring measures to regulate these centres and prevent them from promoting dishonest practices.