Abuja — The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has launched an urgent review of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) following widespread outcry from candidates over alleged technical irregularities and unexplained mass failure.
The development comes just days after JAMB released the 2025 UTME results, which revealed that over 78 percent of candidates scored below 200 out of a possible 400 points, triggering an avalanche of complaints across the country.
In a statement issued on Monday, the examination body acknowledged an unusually high volume of petitions from candidates and their families, many of whom insist their scores do not reflect their performance during the test.
“The board is fast-tracking its annual system review, which typically happens months after the examination,” JAMB said, adding that the review would cover the full cycle of the examination—registration, testing, and result processing.
To ensure objectivity, JAMB said it has engaged independent experts, including representatives from the Computer Professionals Association of Nigeria, chief external examiners who are heads of tertiary institutions, and members of the Educational Association and Research Network in Africa.
According to the board, candidates who experienced technical difficulties were either assisted on the spot or had their exams rescheduled. However, over 8,000 candidates have formally reported issues ranging from system malfunctions to inability to access test questions.
JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin maintained that the released results reflect candidates’ actual performance, but assured the public that any confirmed discrepancies will be addressed through appropriate remedial action.
“We urge candidates and stakeholders to remain calm and allow the review process to run its course. The board remains committed to upholding the credibility and integrity of its examination process,” Benjamin said.
As the review continues, public pressure is mounting, particularly on social media, where affected students and parents have been sharing screenshots, testimonies, and demands for transparency and fairness.
JAMB has not announced a specific timeline for completing the review but emphasized that restoring public confidence in the UTME remains a top priority.
