
JAMB 2025 UTME: Top Scorers Soar, but Majority Struggle to Keep Up
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has unveiled its 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, celebrating 17,025 candidates who scored 300 and above—a record high since the exam went digital in 2013. Yet, the data paints a dual reality: while elite performers thrive, 70.7% (1.36 million candidates) scored below 200, spotlighting Nigeria’s entrenched education divide.
Milestones & Metrics: Decoding the 2025 Surge
Top Scorers (300+):
- 2025: 17,025 (0.88% of 1.93 million candidates)
- 2024: 8,401 (0.46%) | 2023: 5,318 (0.35%)
- 2021: 724 (0.06%) | 2013/2014: Zero
Mid-Tier Gains (250+ & 200+):
- 250+: 117,373 (6.08%) in 2025 vs. 77,070 (4.18%) in 2024
- 200+: 565,988 (29.3%) in 2025 vs. 439,961 (24%) in 2024
Low Performers (Below 200):
- 2025: 1.36 million (70.7%) – down from 76% in 2024 but still critical.
- Historical Context: In 2016, 34% scored 200+ vs. 13% in 2021, showing erratic progress.
What’s Driving the High-Score Boom?
While JAMB credits improved exam integrity, experts cite:
✅ Tech Adoption: Wider access to CBT practice platforms and AI tutors.
✅ Exam Preparedness: Proliferation of paid coaching centers targeting high-achievers.
✅ Anti-Malpractice Measures: Biometric verification curbed impersonation.
But critics warn:
❌ Urban Bias: Top scorers disproportionately hail from cities with better resources.
❌ Rural Neglect: Poor schools lack electricity, textbooks, and qualified teachers.
❌ Pressure Cooker Culture: Families invest heavily in elite prep, widening gaps.
The 70% Crisis: Why Millions Still Lag Behind
Despite marginal improvements, systemic failures persist:
- Infrastructure Deficits: 60% of rural schools lack computers for CBT practice.
- Curriculum Mismatch: Secondary syllabi often misalign with UTME standards.
- Psychological Toll: Poverty and anxiety deter focus; 1 in 3 candidates skip meals during prep.
“Celebrating 17,000 top scorers while ignoring 1.36 million struggling students is like applauding a fireworks show in a storm,” said Lagos-based educator Funke Adebayo.
Stakeholders Clash: Progress vs. Priorities
- JAMB’s Stance: Full result transparency (1.93 million released) and CBT upgrades signal accountability.
- Government Claims: Free UTME registration for low-income students boosted participation.
- Civil Society Pushback:
- “Where are the investments in rural teachers and libraries?” – Education Rights Initiative.
- “High scores mean nothing if public universities can’t admit them due to strikes.” – Student Union Leader.
Join the Debate!
Is Nigeria’s education system fostering excellence or deepening inequality? Share your thoughts!
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Why This Matters:
With 1.93 million candidates vying for limited university slots, UTME outcomes mirror Nigeria’s broader inequities. The surge in top scorers offers hope, but sustainable change requires addressing the marginalized majority.
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