The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board will on Thursday review the results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination following what it described as “unusual” public complaints.

A notice seen by The PUNCH in Abuja confirmed that the review meeting would bring together vice-chancellors, provosts, rectors, school principals, examiners, and technical experts to scrutinise the examination process and address the widespread dissatisfaction expressed by candidates and stakeholders.

This development comes in the wake of mounting protests from candidates and parents over the results released last Friday, with many alleging technical glitches and inconsistencies during the exam.

According to the official notice, the review panel, which includes members from the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, the Educational Assessment and Research Network, and top officials from Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, will evaluate the conduct and outcome of the 2025 UTME.

“In furtherance of the commitment of the board to earn public confidence in its processes, the management of the board has approved your participation to be part of the review panel constituted to appraise the conduct of the examination with the mandate to identify challenges, if any, and proffer relevant recommendations to prevent a recurrence,” the notice reads in part.

It added that the panel’s assignment will be at no cost to the board.

The UTME is a critical prerequisite for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria. It tests candidates in four subjects, including the compulsory Use of English, with the other three drawn from their proposed field of study.

Of the 1.9 million candidates who sat the UTME, over 1.5 million reportedly scored below 200 out of the maximum 400 marks, raising concerns across the education sector.

According to the examination agency, a total of 1,955,069 results were processed, out of which only 4,756 candidates (0.24 per cent) scored 320 and above, considered top-tier performance, while 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).

Also, 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.

Over 75 per cent of all candidates (1.5 million) scored below 200, average score seeing as the examination is graded over 400.

Some affected candidates threatened to initiate a lawsuit against JAMB.

Responding to the controversy, JAMB’s spokesman, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, on Monday said the board was accelerating its annual post-examination system review, which typically assesses the registration, examination, and result phases months after the exercise.

“We are particularly concerned about the unusual complaints originating from a few states within the federation,” Benjamin stated.

“We are currently scrutinising these complaints in detail to identify and rectify any potential technical issues.”

According to the statement, the board is scrutinising these complaints in detail to identify and rectify potential technical issues.

JAMB said the annual review encompasses three key stages: registration, examination, and result release.

It explained that during the examination, JAMB ensures that every candidate is afforded the opportunity to sit the test, and should any technical issues arise, the board reschedules the examination for affected candidates.

JAMB said experts have been engaged to assist in the review.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, while reacting to the results said that the performance statistics for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination are in line with results recorded over the past 12 years.

He emphasised, however, that such results are not unusual and align with historical patterns.

“This is not peculiar to this year. The performance statistics are consistent with those of the last 12 years,” he said.

In 2024, 76 per cent of candidates who sat the UTME scored less than 200 points.

In 2022, 1.3 million candidates out of 1.7 million – or 78 per cent – who sat the 2022 UTME scored below 200, according to JAMB.

In 2021, only 803 candidates out of 1.3 million – or 0.06 per cent – who sat the 2021 UTME scored above 300.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, while also reacting to the results, said the high failure rate in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination was clear evidence that the government’s anti-malpractice measures were yielding results, especially within the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board system.

Meanwhile, the JAMB board assured that any candidate affected by technical disruptions during the examination would be given another opportunity to write the test, in line with its established procedures.

Commenting on the performance outcome, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, maintained that the results reflect the federal government’s strengthened efforts to combat examination malpractice and ensure integrity in the admissions process.

But candidates and parents have continued to allege discrepancies in the released results with some calling on the Board to release the modalities with which it scored each candidate.

Some candidates have rejected their results, insisting they do not reflect their actual performance.

A group of candidates, numbering over 8,000, reportedly submitted complaints regarding technical glitches experienced during the examination.

A social media user, @Pennyfabz, who scored 156 expressed concerns, saying she had previously scored 285 in the previous edition of the UTME.

“Dear @JAMBHQ, Something is wrong with my result. I’m very confident that this is not what I’m meant to get. Please look into this matter. I’m seriously comforting myself that everything is okay. Please listen to our plea. I can’t go from 285 to 156,” the candidate posted on X.

A parent also called for a review, saying, “We demand a remark from JAMB. These are exceptional students scoring below 200. Many complained of incomplete questions and other technical issues. JAMB has said nothing. This cannot be swept under the rug.”

Meanwhile, it was not all about protests against the results as history was made with Afolabi Ayodeji, a 15-year-old student from Icons Comprehensive College in Ijapo Estate, Akure, Ondo State, scored 370 out of 400 maximum marks obtainable, setting a landmark record in the 2025 UTME result.

A breakdown of his scores, according to JAMB, indicates: Mathematics — 98, Physics — 98, Chemistry — 94 and Use of English — 80, highlighting his exceptional grasp of both the sciences and language subjects.

Ayodeji’s 370 score is the highest recorded in over a decade, marking a noteworthy milestone in Nigeria’s education sector in over a decade.

According to data from JAMB, no individual has attained a score of 370 since the inception of the board’s computer-based test in 2013, making his feat the highest in this era.

“I didn’t set out to break any record; I just wanted to give my best. I thank God, my parents, and my teachers for believing in me,” Ayodeji said after his feat.

In a daring continuation of Operation of Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA Phase V, the troops have penetrated deep into terrorist strongholds across parts of Sokoto and Zamfara States, dismantling layers of insurgent infrastructure and recovering weapons.

The multi-day operation, which began with swift assaults on identified camps, saw troops advancing through highly hostile territory, including Gidan Madi, Tsamiya Village, Tudun Ruwa, Alela, and several forested areas notorious for harbouring terrorist cells.

The troops encountered multiple ambushes laid by fighters of the Lakurawa terror faction, a splinter group known for its entrenched operations in the North West region.

Despite the resistance, the troops pressed forward, clearing key hideouts beyond Alela village, including the Areo general area, Damoria, Tumuna Village, and the densely wooded Goboro Forest.

“These locations have been long used by terrorists as logistics hubs and operational bases for launching attacks on civilian communities and security convoys,” a senior military source familiar with the operation said.

The military offensive did not come without cost. One soldier was wounded in action (WIA) during the series of engagements, while a vigilante supporting the operation paid the ultimate price. The wounded soldier was promptly evacuated to the 8 Division Military Hospital (8 DMSH) in Sokoto for treatment.

Troops also neutralised six terrorists affiliated with the Lakeurawa faction during the operation. Several others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds, fleeing into the surrounding forest areas.

Among the arms recovered from the cleared camps were various weapons,  magazines, two handheld radios, and  motorcycles which were some of the items believed to have been used for communications and mobility within the camps.

The Nigerian police have rejected the Indigenous People of Biafra’s (IPOB) planned sit-at-home order on May 30, 2025, across the South-East, aimed at commemorating Biafran heroes and heroines who died during the 1967-1970 Civil War.

IPOB declared the day a public holiday and announced a complete ban on all movement—by road, air, and sea — between 6am and 6pm, warning that no human activity would be permitted within “Biafran territory.”

In response, the Anambra State Police Command assured the public of adequate security, urging residents to go out freely and about their normal business without fear.

SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesperson, said, “We are not aware of the lockdown order, but the residents are assured of adequate security and are encouraged to go about their lawful business without entertaining any fear.”

He added that while the police would not force people to leave their homes, they would ensure the safety of anyone engaging in lawful activities.

IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, outlined the group’s plans to hold memorial lectures both in Nigeria and internationally throughout the month of May, leading up to the May 30 observance.

“The IPOB family and movement inform Biafrans, supporters of Biafra, and freedom advocates that May 30, 2025, is designated a public holiday and lockdown across the South-East in honour of Biafran heroes and heroines who made the ultimate sacrifice for our existence,” Powerful said in a statement.

He further stated that the day would be marked by a total shutdown of schools, markets, churches, mosques, and public gatherings.

Powerful also noted that the sit-at-home order is meant to reflect on the events of the Biafran War, stating, “We urge all Biafrans and supporters of freedom to comply with this directive.”

In preparation for the day, IPOB has informed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to adjust the May/June Senior Secondary School Examination schedule in the South-East, so as not to conflict with the order.

The police, however, remain firm in their stance, ensuring that citizens will not be restricted in carrying out their lawful activities.

SP Ikenga stated, “We will provide adequate security for anyone who comes out to carry out his lawful activity on the said day.”

Additionally, IPOB has asked Biafrans in the diaspora to organise town hall meetings or public demonstrations to show support for the movement and advocate for the restoration of Biafra.

“IPOB and Ndigbo globally will pay tribute to all fallen heroes, including our eternal leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Gen. Philip Efiong, Chief Dr. Frank Opigo, Commander Ikonso, and many others who stood against the genocide and destruction of our people by Nigerian and British forces and their allies,” said Powerful.

Only emergency and essential service providers, such as ambulance operators, doctors, nurses, journalists, and NUPENG members, will be exempt from the lockdown, according to the IPOB statement.

Powerful warned, “We advise everyone to remain indoors on May 30 to avoid any confrontation or stray bullets from security operatives.”

A similar event held last year led to violent clashes, particularly in Abia State, where some soldiers lost their lives.

The Nigerian police have vowed to ensure peace and security during the planned observance of the Biafran Heroes Memorial Day.