- Following the release of the 2025 UTME results, students and parents have expressed shock over the low scores
- Some have raised concerns about possible systemic failure, manipulation, or software glitches as the potential causes for the discrepancies
- In response, Nigerians have called on JAMB to review results and grant access to questions and answers for transparency and verification
The release of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results has sparked widespread outrage among students, parents, and concerned Nigerians.
Across social media, many are voicing a shared concern — that something is amiss with this year’s results, and an urgent investigation is needed.
The controversy began almost immediately after the results were released on Friday, May 9.
Students who had previously excelled in both internal and external exams are now reporting scores that drastically fall short of expectations, many citing discrepancies too significant to ignore.
The 2025 UTME results have thrown the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) into a credibility crisis.
With many students and guardians raising concerns, and some alleging systemic errors. Many believe that only a thorough and transparent review can restore public trust.
Nigerians raise concerns over 2025 UTME results
@quwam001 highlighted the case of a top-performing student: “Egbaze Victoria scored 295 in last year’s UTME, and now she’s being told she scored 132? And many others. These are not just numbers—these are brilliant students who have consistently performed well... This is confusing, disheartening, and quite frankly unacceptable.”
He continued: “Imagine a student who earned 7 As (4A*) in the Cambridge IGCSE, scored 259 in UTME while still in SS2, and is now getting 159 this year? No, something definitely isn’t right.”
@DrOluwasegunD also shared his concern: “Unfortunately, I have a similar case. The mother called me to find a way to break it to the said candidate. She can never score 140, it's not even possible. She had 280 last year.”
@igbokwefavour5 added personal experiences and suspicions: “Same here... Had 316 last year, prepared harder this year, only to see 155 as my score. @JAMBHQ we need a review!!!”
Many who reported lower-than-expected scores claimed to have outstanding academic records, making the results even more questionable.
@Raverboy222569 shared: “This is my first time writing JAMB this year and I can tell you all for a fact that it was definitely rigged... I won’t lie I was expecting at least a score of 290 to 300 but I got 143.”
@_peaceikechi added: “My younger sisters who were expecting nothing less than 250 scored below 200. They’ve cried their eyes out today.”
@MizCarzorla1 expressed heartbreak: “My son scored 279 last year, only for him to score 173 in this recently released result. My son has been inconsolable. He still can't believe this is his result.”
Beyond just disappointment, there is a growing call for transparency in JAMB’s processes.
Many believe that computer-based testing does not guarantee error-free outcomes and are calling for an audit.
@pharmDuru noted: “One or two cases aren’t enough to draw a conclusion, but if such drastic drops are widespread among typically high-performing students, it’s definitely worth investigating. The integrity of the exam and its processes should always be above doubt. Transparency helps everyone.
“Computer-based doesn’t automatically mean error-free. Systems are built and managed by humans—errors in software, data processing, or even server-side glitches can still affect outcomes. That’s exactly why reviews and audits exist in tech-driven processes.”
@ezinwa_chijioke offered a solution: “I am of the opinion that any computer-based exams should give you your results immediately you are done. Anything beyond that can be manipulated and hardly believable.”
@francis_ranco made a strong case for student rights: “The @NGRSenate should order #JAMB to review these results and send a verified copy (Questions and the student's answers) to any candidate who files any complaint.”
@jeremiah_nosiru pointed at a possible age-based manipulation: “If you look closely, majority of the candidates that are below 18 have some funny scores... connect the dots.”
For many Nigerians, this situation is a reflection of deeper systemic flaws.
@Liquidityisart tweeted: “I swear I have a conspiracy theory that JAMB intentionally messes up these scores or has an algorithm with bugs that put out bad scores...”
@Peteribeabuchi questioned the scale of the problem: “1.9m people took an exam and 1.5m of that number failed. Different schools, different states, different realities, and 80% of them fail? Something is wrong.”
@SavvyRinu criticised the likely official response: “I already know how JAMB will spin it. They won’t explain why teenagers are sitting for exams at 6 a.m. They won’t review their own systems.
“They’ll say the process was “stricter” to justify the mass failure. It’s only in Nigeria that failure represents institutional success.”
@timmieexx pleaded: “My brother’s JAMB result just came out, and it’s not adding up. This is someone with a consistent record of academic excellence. Too much effort and sleepless nights went into preparation. This is so unfair.”
@TheElile concluded: “If JAMB is going to be a significant factor in people getting into their desired course, it has to be infallible, with not a single iota of doubt in its processes.”
Amid the chaos, @Osemu21 shared guidance on how to submit official complaints:
“How to Submit a Complaint to JAMB:
1. Use the JAMB Central Online Support System (COSS)
- Visit: support.jamb.gov.ng
- “Create Support Ticket” -“Candidate / General Support Ticket”
- Clearly explain your complaint in the message box
- Submit
2. Contact JAMB via Phone or Email
If you prefer direct communication:
- Phone Numbers: +2348166335513, +2348123658955
- Email: info@jamb.gov.ng
These contact details are available on JAMB's official website.
3. Visit a JAMB Office in Person
If you're in Lagos
- Address: 11 Ojora Road, Ikoyi, Lagos
- Phone: 0700-JAMB-ZLG or 0700-5262-954
- Email: lagos@jamb.gov.ng
It's advisable to visit the SERVICOM Desk at the office to lodge your complaint.”
JAMB to allow exceptional candidates below 16 sit for UTME
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) introduced a special provision allowing “exceptional” students below the age of 16 to register for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Oloyede emphasised that while JAMB maintains the 16-year minimum age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions, the board recognises that some rare, highly gifted students may be academically ready before reaching this age.