By Charles Maduka
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) resit, conducted for candidates affected by technical disruptions at several centres. While addressing the outcome, JAMB uncovered disturbing trends of malpractice involving candidates, school proprietors, and CBT centre operators.
Following the resit, a national meeting of Chief External Examiners (CEEs) led to key resolutions. A sub-committee headed by Prof. Olufemi Peters, Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, was tasked with verifying the results. The results were then validated by Prof. Boniface Nworgu, a psychometrics expert.
JAMB also announced the release of withheld results for under-aged candidates, though these do not guarantee admission. Similarly, candidates involved in malpractice via “WhatsApp runs” were given a one-time waiver, with a warning to avoid further misconduct. Absent candidates are granted a chance to retake the exam during the regular mop-up exercise.
The Board has blacklisted CBT centres implicated in registration fraud and will prosecute owners and operators who manipulated candidate data. Additionally, it called for tighter regulation of tutorial centres involved in training candidates for malpractice.
Despite challenges, the CBT model was praised for curbing large-scale cheating and modernising the exam process. The Board plans to partner with management consultants to improve its accreditation and registration systems.
JAMB also rejected tribal sentiments surrounding the disruptions, describing such narratives as divisive and unhelpful. The Registrar and management team received commendation for their transparent handling of the situation.
Out of the 336,845 candidates rescheduled for the resit, 21,082 were absent. Performance remained consistent with trends over the past decade, with no extraordinary scores recorded in affected sessions.
The Board also dismissed social media claims of unusually high scores. One such case involved Mr. Olisa Gabriel Chukwuemeka, a student at Adekunle Ajasin University, who falsely claimed a score of 326. Investigation revealed he altered his original 2024 UTME result and deactivated his online accounts after being exposed.
All results are now released, except those involving malpractice or pending mop-up. Candidates whose results were withdrawn are being notified individually. JAMB clarified that its SMS shortcode service does not generate revenue, but helps protect candidate data and prevent exploitation at cybercafés.
JAMB reported advanced fraud tactics uncovered during the exam, including AI-generated impersonation, network hacking of CBT centres, use of combined fingerprints, and deployment of mercenaries in exam halls. Over 3,000 candidates have been linked to these practices, and investigations are ongoing.
The Board expressed deep appreciation to security agencies for their role in curbing fraud. It also acknowledged support from WAEC, Ahmadu Bello University, TRCN, and NECO for rescheduling exams to accommodate the resit.
JAMB reaffirmed its commitment to a fair and credible examination process while urging Nigerians to support its efforts against malpractice.
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