UTME Update: 379,997 to retake exams

JAMB admits glitches in UTME results Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Wednesday broke into tears as he apologised for the errors in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. Oloyede, during a news conference in Bwari on Wednesday, took responsibility of the errors in the just concluded examinations. Rescheduled Exam Date: He assured that the 379,997 affected candidates would be communicated through Short Message Service (SMS) by Thursday, so that they could reprint their slips for rescheduled examinations on Friday and Saturday. Oloyede revealed that the glitches, which caused widespread outrage and confusion among candidates and stakeholders, were traced to a failure in the deployment of updated grading software by one of JAMB’s service providers. “The issue specifically impacted 65 centres in the Lagos Zone affecting 206,610 candidates and 92 centres in Owerri Zone, affecting over 173,387 candidates. “I apologise for the trauma caused the candidates and I take full responsibility for this,” he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that of the 1.9 million candidates who sat the UTME, over 1.5 million reportedly scored below 200 out of the maximum 400 marks. Processed Results: The Board had said that a total of 1,955,069 results were processed, out of which only 4,756 candidates (0.24 per cent) scored 320 and above. Also, 7,658 candidates (0.39 per cent) scored between 300 and 319, bringing the total for those who scored 300 and above to 12,414 candidates (0.63 per cent). 73,441 candidates (3.76 per cent) scored between 250 and 299 while 334,560 candidates (17.11 per cent) scored between 200 and 249. A total of 983,187 candidates (50.29 per cent) scored between 160 and 199, which is widely regarded as the minimum threshold for admissions in many institutions. In the same vein, 488,197 candidates (24.97 per cent) scored between 140 and 159, 57,419 candidates (2.94 per cent), scored between 120 and 139, 3,820 candidates (0.20 per cent) scored between 100 and 119, and 2,031 candidates (0.10 per cent) scored below 100. Oloyede admitted that one or two errors were made during the 2025 UTME after the investigations carried out. The Registrar also highlighted JAMB’s robust quality assurance systems, which include mock exams, technical simulations, and deployment of oversight teams comprising university vice-chancellors, civil society representatives, software engineers, and education experts. However, he acknowledged that even the most stringent measures cannot eliminate all risks. “This unfortunate incident represents significant self-harm to the integrity we’ve built over the years. “But we remain committed to transparency, fairness, and equity. It is our culture to admit error and take responsibility.” In response to public concern, he said the Board fast-tracked its typical post-exam audit, which was originally scheduled for June. According to him, the Board convened emergency meetings with stakeholders, including educators, psychometricians, and student associations, to isolate the issue and chart a course for remediation. “We apologise, sincerely, to the Nigerian students, parents, and schools affected. While this was not a case of sabotage, the oversight by one of our two service providers was inexcusable,” the Registrar stated. He added that the 2025 UTME recorded the highest individual score in the last 15 year with 374 highest score. He said this indicated improvements from previous years noting that overall performance still aligned with historical trends, with some early reports of widespread failure stemming largely from the glitch in affected zones.

Oloyede in tears, admits sabotage in UTME exams

Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), on Wednesday betrayed emotion and broke into tears as he apologised  the errors in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. Oloyede, during a news conference in Bwari, took responsibility of the errors in the just concluded examinations. “I apologise for the trauma caused the candidates and I take full responsibility for this,” he said. He admitted that errors were made during the 2025 UTME after the investigations carried out.

No extension of UTME registration after March 8-JAMB

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it will not extend registration for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) after March 8. This is contained in statement to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday by the Boards Spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin. Benjamin said the registration period which began on Feb. 3, would end on March 8, 2025. According to him, this deadline has been clearly communicated in all advertisements and the official calendar for the 2025 UTME exercise. “We wish to inform all prospective candidates that there will be no extension of the registration period. “This notice is particularly important given the recent decline in the number of candidates registering for the examination. ” We urge all individuals who wish to participate to register promptly and avoid waiting until the last minute,” he said. He added that currently, over 1.5 million candidates had successfully registered, which aligned closely with the Board’s projections for the 2025 examination cycle. “It is essential to note that the Board’s calendar is fixed, with numerous subsequent programmes scheduled after registration, including examinations, results management, and admissions exercise. “These timelines are coordinated with other agencies whose operations rely on the completion of our processes. Therefore, extending the registration period would disrupt not only the Board’s plans but also those of our partners,” he explained. Benjamin encouraged candidates to complete their registration as soon as possible, while also adhering to the established timeline for the 2025 UTME.

2025 UTME Registration, Exam Dates Released

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has shared the schedule for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).  A statement from the examination board yesterday in Abuja, indicates that Registration will start on January 31, 2025, and close on March 5, 2025. Direct Entry candidates can purchase application forms and e-PINs from March 10 to April 7, 2025.  it was also stated that the Mock-UTME is set for April 5, while the main UTME will take place between April 25 and May 5, 2025. JAMB explained that candidates opting for the mock exam will pay ₦8,200, while those skipping it will pay ₦7,200.  READ ALSO: 1,900 settlements, ICT centre unveiled for survivors in Monguno The fees include charges for application forms, reading materials, CBT center services, and bank fees. Additionally, a mock UTME for candidates under 16 has been introduced to help them prepare, though it will not count for admission. However, candidates must be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2025, to qualify for admission into tertiary institutions.  Exceptions may be made for candidates under 15 who score 280 or higher in the UTME and excel in other required exams.

NECO releases results

Breaking: NECO releases result The National Examinations Council, NECO, has released the 2024 SSCE internal results. This was disclosed on Thursday, September 19, by the NECO’s Registrar/Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Wushishi. He briefed journalists in Minna during the release of the 2024 SSCE internal results. Also, Wushishi said that NECO blacklisted 21 supervisors in 12 states. They also de-recognised one school in Ekiti state for mass cheating in three subjects. How to check NECO 2024 results Below are the easy steps to check your NECO 2024 results online: 1. Visit NECO portal at https://www.neco.gov.ng. This is the only official platform for accessing your results. 2. Select ‘NECO Results’: On the homepage, pick the ‘NECO Results’ option. Clicking this will take you to the result-checking section. Click “Check “Results”. Alternatively, just go straight to the result portal at https://results.neco.gov.ng/. 3. Enter your examination details: Provide your exam year (2024), exam type (June/July or Nov/Dec), and your unique examination number. 4. Input your token: You can buy it directly from the NECO website. Input the token in the appropriate field.

See List: JAMB Names 86 Universities, Making Illegal Admissions

Analysis of data on the admissions conducted for the 2022/2023 academic session in Nigerian universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions of learning revealed that 88 institutions conducted admissions outside of the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS.) According to JAMB, admissions conducted outside CAPS are illegal, null and void. In a statement titled, ‘Cessation of illegal/irregular admission’, JAMB reiterated that all applications of admissions to First Degree, National Diploma, National Innovation Diploma and the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) into full-time, distance learning, part-time, outreach, sandwich, etc., must be processed only through JAMB. The report tagged, ‘Compiled assessment of institutions on compliance with the 2022/2023 admission guidelines’, scored institutions who complied fully with admission guidelines 10 points; those with partial compliance were scored five points, while those institutions who failed to comply were awarded zero point. Under the section for the conduct of full admissions on CAPS, our correspondent observed that 88 institutions failed to comply. Some of the erring institutions are the University of Uyo, University of Abuja, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Yaba College of Technology, Plateau State University, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Coal City University, Crawford University, Crescent University, Ebonyi State University, Rhema University, Borno State University, Chrisland University, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Alvan Ikoku College of Education, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University.

JAMB Issues Stern Warning to Parents, Stay Clear of CBT Centers or risk arrest

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has taken decisive action to clamp down on exam malpractice by issuing a stern warning to all Computer-Based Test (CBT) center owners. In a recent briefing held in Abuja, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, the Registrar of JAMB, underscored the gravity of the situation and the necessity of stringent measures. Professor Oloyede emphasized that parents found near any CBT facility during the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) would face immediate arrest. This move, he explained, was prompted by the discovery that many such parents have been involved in facilitating exam malpractices or disrupting exams in the past. In no uncertain terms, Professor Oloyede stated that any parent caught disobeying this directive would not only be apprehended but would also face disqualification for their ward from sitting the examination. Furthermore, the Registrar revealed that security operatives have been instructed to collaborate closely with CBT centers to apprehend any meddlesome parent attempting to interfere with the examination process. Warning candidates of the consequences, Professor Oloyede cautioned that those whose personal details are found on fraudulent websites would be treated as accomplices and subject to prosecution. In a call to action, the Registrar urged CBT center owners to uphold integrity and eschew any unethical behavior, emphasizing that failure to do so could result in missed opportunities. Expressing the Board’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the integrity of the examination, Professor Oloyede revealed that state-of-the-art technologies have been deployed to detect and prevent various forms of infractions and collaborations that run counter to the Board’s code of operations.

Ezekwesili hails JAMB’s sanctions on Mmesoma for UTME result fraud

Ezekwesili hails JAMB's sanctions on Mmesoma for UTME result fraud

Obiageli Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, has voiced her support for the sanctions imposed by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Mmesoma Ejikeme for falsifying her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result. This comes after the Anambra State Committee of Inquiry set up by Governor Charles Soludo confirmed that Mmesoma, a student at Anglican Girls Secondary School, Nnewi, manipulated her result using her phone. Ezekwesili had previously called for a thorough investigation into the fraud allegations following JAMB’s decision to withdraw Mmesoma’s result and ban her from taking the examination for the next three years. However, in a Twitter post on Saturday, Ezekwesili expressed her support for the sanctions, stating that she had reviewed the report of the Anambra State Committee and was satisfied with their investigation process and findings, which allowed Mmesoma a fair hearing to gather all the relevant facts. Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Mmesoma’s result, with JAMB asserting that her score of 249 was manipulated to 362, Ezekwesili emphasized the importance of conducting a comprehensive investigation to establish the truth of the matter. She expressed her contentment that the process provided Mmesoma with a fair hearing, as indicated by the Anambra State panel report, which was signed by the Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu. Below is the full statement by the former Minister titled: “Mmesoma and @JAMBHQ Saga” “I have just read the report of the Committee set up by Anambra State Government to investigate and report their independent findings on the Mmesoma and JAMB Saga. “I am satisfied with the process and findings of their investigation which gave Mmesoma a fair hearing to enable the Committee to gather all facts. “It was necessary to have independent evidence that the result Mmesoma laid claim to publicly was not only fake but that the forgery was personally orchestrated by her. “There are usually syndicates at the centre of perpetration of exam malpractices in Nigeria but it appears not to be so in Mmesoma’s case from the facts of the Committee’s report. “Mmesoma’s action has consequences. I, therefore, support the sanctions imposed by JAMB as a deterrent to all who participate in the systemic exam malpractices within our educational system. “I also recommend sustained counseling for Mmesoma by the family, school, and church to support her as she reflects on this tragic episode and makes a decision to embrace values and rewards of effort while eschewing dishonest gain for the rest of her life. “I do hope that the lessons of this case will help all our pupils, students, parents, guardians and the public at large renew a collective commitment to uphold Exam Integrity in Nigeria as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s Values and Reward System for our children and youth. “I wish to thank JAMB for their good work and encourage the Registrar and his team to continue with their critical service to our country and people as we all join them to sustain raising of awareness on Exam Integrity.”  Obiageli “Oby” EzekwesiliFormer Minister of Education