The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released a detailed statistical breakdown of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, shedding light on candidate performance nationwide.

The 2025 UTME, which commenced on Thursday, April 24, was marked by widespread frustration from students and parents due to recurring technical glitches and disorganization at several Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres. Reports indicated network disruptions and system failures that either delayed or completely obstructed some candidates from writing the exam.

According to JAMB, a total of 1,955,069 candidates sat for the exam. The performance distribution is as follows:

* 320 and above: 4,756 candidates (0.24%)
* 300–319: 7,658 (0.39%)
* 300 and above (total): 12,414 (0.63%)
* 250–299: 73,441 (3.76%)
* 200–249: 334,560 (17.11%)
* 160–199: 983,187 (50.29%)
* 140–159: 488,197 (24.97%)
* 120–139: 57,419 (2.94%)
* 100–119: 3,820 (0.20%)
* Below 100: 2,031 (0.10%)

The majority of candidates described the examination as more difficult than anticipated. Many reported that Mathematics, Physics, and Commerce posed significant challenges, while the Use of English was considered more manageable.

At Mount Gilead Convent in Igando, Lagos, a candidate, Ugonma Perpetual, said the Use of English paper was marred by technical issues. “Questions one to ten didn’t appear—only the answer options did. And instead of 60 questions, we had 55,” she told *BusinessDay*.

Another candidate, Nmesoma, expressed concern after her computer shut down mid-exam. “My system automatically turned off. Will my answers still be submitted?” she asked anxiously.

Saviour Essien shared a common plight: “Imagine having a 6:30 a.m. exam. I rushed there without eating, and still had to wait for hours because of technical problems.”

Notably, this year’s UTME saw the participation of 40,247 underage candidates (below age 16), permitted under a special policy for exceptionally gifted students. However, only 467 (1.16%) scored 300 and above—the minimum benchmark to qualify as "exceptionally gifted" by JAMB's standards. Their admission status will depend on three additional post-exam assessment stages.

JAMB also disclosed that 97 candidates were directly implicated in exam misconduct and have had their results withheld. An additional 2,157 candidates are under investigation for offenses including impersonation, system manipulation, and illegal assistance during the exam.

Meanwhile, 71,701 candidates were marked absent, with many facing biometric verification issues. Affected candidates are still being screened, and only those cleared will be rescheduled to retake the exam at designated centres.

JAMB further revealed that results for blind candidates and others under the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) are still being processed. Their exams, conducted using Braille and Read-Aloud modes, adhered to the same content standards. The board assured that their results will be released after final review and validation.

To officially wrap up the 2025 UTME cycle, JAMB has announced plans to hold a press briefing later in the week to formally confirm the release of all candidates’ results.