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.
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.
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.
Just in: JAMB releases 2024 supplementary UTME results
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has announced the release of results of candidates who participated in the supplementary Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME. Recall that the examination was conducted between Friday, June 21, and Saturday, June 22, 2024. The board disclosed the release in a statement Friday morning by its spokesman, Fabian Benjamin. The supplementary examination was conducted for 28,835 candidates who were unable to be biometrically verified during the main 2024 UTME and were, therefore, unable to take their examination. Similarly, the other category of candidates were those suspected to have been involved in examination malpractices during the main UTME but who were given a second chance to sit the examination. “The exercise, which recorded a huge success nationwide, was marked by heightened security measures put in place by the Board to preclude any instance of examination infractions. As such, some nefarious characters who had attempted to impersonate bona fide candidates were apprehended and handed over to law enforcement agencies for further investigation and prosecution, “the statement read. It read further: “The board would continue to ensure that no candidate benefits from any acts of infractions through the deployment of state-of-the-art technology before, during, and after its examinations. “Candidates are, therefore, urged in their own interest to refrain from engaging in any form of irregularity during their examinations. “They are also enjoined to desist from soliciting score upgrades from fraudsters or engage in the mutilation of their result sheets while trying to generate fake result sheets with higher scores. “To check their supplementary UTME results, candidates are to send UTMERESULT to either 55019 or 66019 through the same phone number they had used to generate their profile codes at the start of registration.”
UTME: CIEPUK partners varsities, NAPSP to award scholarships to outstanding students
The Chartered Institute of Educational Practitioners, United Kingdom (CIEPUK) is set to partner several institutions and the National Association of Private School Proprietors’ (NAPSP) to award scholarship to outstanding students in the just concluded 2023 JAMB/UTME examinations. Prof. Marcel Ezenwoye, the National President of CIEPUK, said the gesture was a way of rewarding excellence and encouraging hardworking students in the country. He said it was also in line with the Federal Government’s policies on inclusive, affordable and accessible education under the able watch of President Bola Tinubu and his vice Shettima. “CIEPUK is partnering several universities both within and outside the country to offer 50 percent scholarship to JAMB/UME students, so that for a semester, they pay N60,000 as tuition fees, N30,000 for hostel and N5,000 as medical fees. “CIEPUK therefore invites Jambites and other admission seekers for categorised scholarship to enable them study the course of their choice in any of our collaborating public and private Universities and polytechnics in Nigeria and overseas, for 2023/2024 academic session. “The list of tertiary institutions involved in the scholarship programme include; Hipdet University, Cameroon, Gideon Robert University, Lusaka, Zambia, St. Monica University, Cameroon, Paul University, Awka, Tansian University, Umunya Anambra State and Maduka University, Enugu State. “Others are Covenant Polytechnic, Owerri, Temple Gate Polytechnic, Aba and Dorben Polytechnic, Abuja,” he said. Ezenwoye explained that the 50 percent scholarship would cover part of the student’s tuition, hostel and other fees throughout their four-year period in which they are expected to study in the University of their choice. He added that other students with lower scores would also enjoy the 50 percent scholarship in the university of their choice, provided they apply between now and August 30. The don added that CIEPUK was also partnering NAPSP in the scholarship programme. He said this was in recognition of the invaluable role that NAPSP play in moulding the future of these youths. “We therefore cordially invite all school owners/principals to partner with us in giving them quality higher education and a secured future devoid of strike, cultism, gangsterism and other forms of vices that characterise our educational institutions today. “CIEPUK, hereby offers 20 students each registered NAPSP members our 50 percent scholarship to all the incoming students in the 2023/2024 academic session. “Admission forms are already on sale and first scholarship/admission screening interview holds on August 30th, 2023 at the Old Registrar’s office, Paul University, Awka at 12 noon prompt. “You can go to our website www.ciepuk.org.uk to confirm the courses we offer as well as call 08069030670, 07030808907 or visit CIEPUK Educators House, 39A First Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja, for more information.