By The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has withheld the results of 39,834 candidates over alleged involvement in examination malpractices in the just-concluded 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this during the official release of the 2025 UTME results in Abuja on Friday.
He also revealed that 80 individuals were currently under investigation for examination-related offences, with Anambra State recording the highest number of suspects—14 in total.
The Registrar noted that 467 underage candidates scored above the minimum benchmark, while 50 others were found to be involved in examination fraud.
A total of 2,030,862 candidates registered for the 2025 UTME, which was conducted across 882 CBT centres, each generally monitored by 10 invigilators from various categories.
“A total of 39,834 results remain unreleased. Of these, 1,426 results are under scrutiny and processing,” Oloyede stated.
According to the JAMB boss, of the figure, 96 candidates’ results were withheld over examination malpractices, a decrease from 123 in the previous year.
Oloyede said the Board remained resolute in its commitment to eliminating any form of malpractice, adding that 1,957,000 candidates were verified to sit the exam, while 71,705 were absent.
He added that 2,157 candidates experienced fingerprint rejections due to suspected registration infractions—a figure he described as well above acceptable margins and currently under investigation.
“The 2025 UTME revealed the prevalence of particular types of infractions, suggesting systemic vulnerabilities or gaps in registration, examination administration and/or monitoring.
“The new trends observed were mainly in two categories: Identity Fraud and Biometric Fraud involving combined thumbprints,” he said.
Other infractions included impersonation during registration, often with the active involvement of certain CBT centres, double registration, and attempted substitution of candidates.
Oloyede said 244 candidates were caught engaging in “WhatsApp runs”—subscribing to rogue groups promising leaked questions. Their results have been withheld to set a strong example.
In some cases, entire syndicates colluded with CBT centres to register using multiple fingerprints. Consequently, 3,656 candidates with “extraneous fingerprints” have had their results withheld. Some implicated CBT centres will face sanctions.
He identified the centres as Tigh Technologies Limited; Sascon International School, Maitama, Abuja; Wudil Computer Information Technology, Wudil, Kano State; and Penta M&Amp; Centre 2, Tambuwal LGA, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
Oloyede stated that 80 suspects were being interrogated by the police for involvement in examination malpractices, and most would be prosecuted.
“The Board has identified extraneous fingers in the registration details of some candidates, raising concerns over potential impersonation strategies. A total of 3,656 candidates fall within this category, and their results have been withheld,” he explained.
On underage candidates, Oloyede noted that, as earlier approved by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, an opportunity was provided for candidates aged 16 and below to showcase their academic abilities.
He recalled that at the last Policy Meeting on admissions, stakeholders resolved to implement a 16-year minimum age for tertiary entry and proposed to raise it to 18 from 2025. However, upon assumption of office, the Minister upheld the 16-year minimum and suspended the 18-year proposal.
“Even so, provision was made—similar to other countries—for proven, exceptionally brilliant candidates.
“Unfortunately, some vested interests misrepresented the Minister’s stance, claiming a downward review of the prescribed age.
“In compliance with regulations, the Board restricted registration to candidates meeting the stipulated criteria but allowed gifted candidates to demonstrate ability through UTME, SSCE, P-UTME, and the Gifted Candidate Test.
“While maturity often correlates with biological age, we recognise exceptions,” he said.
A total of 41,027 underage candidates registered for the 2025 UTME, with a clear warning that they must meet the prescribed scores.
Ultimately, only 467 candidates attained the minimum UTME score for exceptional candidates and are being processed for the remaining three assessment stages.
“Successful candidates have been notified, while those who did not meet the threshold have also been duly informed,” Oloyede said.
The Registrar added that 50 underage candidates were implicated in a cheating syndicate.
The results showed that 467 candidates (1.16%) scored 320 and above; 667 (1.66%) scored 300–319; 4,665 (11.59%) scored 250–299; 12,357 (30.69%) scored 200–249; 15,978 (39.69%) scored 160–199; 5,528 (13.73%) scored 140–159; 5,541 (1.38%) scored 120–139; 30 (0.07%) scored 100–119; and 15 (0.04%) scored below 100.
Oloyede said the Board remained committed to supporting persons with disabilities in accessing tertiary education.
He noted that 501 candidates were successfully examined through the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) across 11 centres nationwide, though one of them was found guilty of impersonation.
He further stated that four centres had been delisted and blacklisted for technical deficiencies.
He added that a list of blacklisted centres for fraudulent practices would soon be made public, with full details of their activities.
Despite challenges, Oloyede affirmed that the 2025 UTME had been one of the most successful in recent years.
He reiterated the Board’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice and pledged continued innovation to safeguard the integrity of public examinations.
On how to check UTME results, he advised: “To check the 2025 UTME results, candidates should send the word ‘UTMERESULT’ as a text message to 55019 or 66019 using the same phone number used during registration. Result printing will be available later.”
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