… Over 21,000 Candidates Miss Resit Exam
… JAMB Uncovers AI-Driven Exam Fraud
Daud Olatunji
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed a staggering performance gap in the recently rescheduled 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with 70.7 per cent of candidates scoring below 200.
A total of 1.9 million candidates sat the examination nationwide. Of this number, only 565,988 candidates managed to cross the 200-mark threshold, while a mere 117,373 (6.08%) scored above 250.
In a statement on Sunday, JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said just 17,025 candidates (0.88%) scored above 300.
The release followed the conclusion of the rescheduled UTME in six states that experienced technical glitches during the initial sitting.
According to JAMB, the results of those affected by the rescheduling showed an even poorer outcome—with 99% of the candidates scoring below 200 and only a handful managing up to 217.
Dr. Benjamin dismissed circulating claims that top scorers emerged from the cancelled sessions, describing them as “mischievous and misleading.”
He accused some individuals of attempting to exploit the system and undermine the integrity of the board.
“There were no high scorers in the cancelled sessions. The misleading claims are completely unfounded,” he said.
JAMB also confirmed that results of candidates involved in examination malpractices have been withheld, while some previously released results have now been withdrawn following security reports.
“These candidates are being duly notified via SMS, their JAMB profiles and emails,” Benjamin noted.
The Board warned against falsehoods being peddled around its SMS result-checking codes (55019/66019), clarifying that the shortcodes do not generate revenue for JAMB.
Meanwhile, candidates awaiting mop-up examinations or whose results were withheld due to infractions will be contacted in due course.
More than 21,000 candidates failed to show up for the UTME resit, the JAMB has disclosed, even as the examination body battles an alarming wave of high-tech exam malpractice involving AI tools, impersonators and compromised Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
The resit, which was conducted for candidates affected by technical issues during the main UTME, recorded a significant absentee figure.
Out of 336,845 candidates slated for the rescheduled test, 21,082 did not appear, according to a statement released on Sunday by JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
While the turnout was underwhelming, JAMB maintained that the performance trend remained within expected margins, comparable to previous years.
“No candidate scored above 217 in the cancelled sessions,” the Board said, debunking claims that some students achieved high scores during the compromised sessions.
It added that 99 percent of the affected candidates scored below 200.
However, the exercise was overshadowed by revelations of widespread examination malpractice involving school owners, parents, and mercenary candidates.
JAMB raised alarm over the growing sophistication of cheating strategies, including AI-powered photo manipulation, biometric fraud, and network hacking.
Some compromised CBT centres allegedly created “strong rooms” to hijack candidates’ computer sessions remotely.
JAMB revealed that over 3,000 candidates were involved in various forms of digital fraud. Several CBT centres have now been blacklisted, and their proprietors face prosecution.
“These acts include impersonation, biometric bypass, and the use of mercenaries,” Benjamin stated.
He praised security agencies for aiding in the uncovering of these sophisticated schemes.
In one dramatic case, JAMB exposed a viral claim by one Olisa Gabriel Chukwuemeka, a 100-level Public Health student at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, who falsely claimed to have scored 326 in the 2025 UTME.
Investigations revealed he altered his 2024 result of 203 to pose as a top scorer. His actual 2025 result was 180. His result has since been withdrawn, and his social media account deactivated following the exposure.
Meanwhile, results of underage candidates and those involved in dubious “WhatsApp runs” were conditionally released for documentation only. These candidates remain ineligible for admission.
A mop-up exam is being planned to accommodate those with valid reasons for missing both the main exam and the resit.
JAMB also responded to public concerns over the cost of checking results via SMS, clarifying that the 55019/66019 service remains subsidised and safer than using cybercafés, which pose data security risks.
The Board reaffirmed its commitment to a credible, technology-driven examination process and called on all stakeholders to join efforts in safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.
“The future of our education is at risk if we do not unite against this growing wave of digital fraud,” the statement warned.
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