JAMB Confirms Release Of UTME Resit Examination Results

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the release of results for the resit Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted for candidates affected by technical issues during the 2025 main exam.

In a statement issued Sunday morning by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, the Board revealed that out of the 336,845 candidates scheduled for the resit, 21,082 were absent.

While no specific reason was given for the high number of absentees, JAMB confirmed that a mop-up examination will be conducted for those who missed the resit and initial exams, including candidates without justifiable reasons for absence.

The Board also expressed concern over the widespread malpractice involving candidates, school proprietors, and Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres during the exercise.

It was gathered that a meeting of chief external examiners, chaired by Prof. Olufemi Peters, endorsed the release of the resit results following a psychometric analysis conducted by Prof. Boniface Nworgu.

Under-aged Candidates’ Results Released, But Admissions Not Guaranteed

JAMB also approved the release of results for under-aged candidates, although it emphasized that this does not make them eligible for admission unless ongoing legal proceedings are involved.

“As part of the healing process, the meeting resolved that the withheld results of underage candidates (except where litigation is involved), who performed below the established standards, be released.

“Such results do not, however, qualify them for admission, as they had earlier signed an undertaking during registration acknowledging that only candidates who meet prescribed standards would be considered under the under-age admission policy,” the statement read.

Waiver for Online Exam Malpractice Involvement

The board granted a one-time waiver for candidates involved in online exam malpractice, including those engaged in ‘WhatsApp runs.’

“The release of results for candidates involved in ‘WhatsApp Runs’ and other misdemeanors was approved. These candidates were found to have engaged in illicit solicitation for assistance during the examination.

“The meeting stressed that this decision should not be misconstrued as an endorsement of their actions but as a final waiver. Candidates are strongly advised to stay away from dubious social media groups,” JAMB stated.

Sanctions for Malpractice: CBT Centres, Biometric Fraud

The board announced that all CBT centres found culpable in malpractice will be blacklisted, and their owners prosecuted. Individuals involved in biometric and identity fraud will also face legal action.

“The meeting condemned the complicity of some CBT centres in perpetrating serious registration and exam irregularities and resolved that all implicated centres be blacklisted, while their owners should be prosecuted.

“Additionally, individuals who manipulated candidates’ pictures and biometrics during registration will be apprehended and prosecuted,” it added.

Tutorial Centres and Divisive Narratives Condemned

JAMB also criticized unregulated tutorial centres encouraging malpractice, urging regulatory measures to be introduced.

The Board condemned attempts to politicize the incident, particularly efforts to give it an ethnic or regional slant.

“The meeting expressed regret over attempts by certain groups to exploit the situation by spreading tribal and sectional narratives.

“This unfortunate incident was not targeted at, nor caused by, any particular section of the country. Such narratives only serve to deepen national division — including within the JAMB workforce,” the statement warned.

The meeting also commended the JAMB registrar and management for their transparent and compassionate handling of the situation.

Clarification on Candidate Results and False Claims

JAMB also dismissed reports of high scores in the cancelled sessions, revealing that 99% of the affected candidates scored below 200, with only a few reaching 217.

The board cited the case of Olisa Gabriel Chukwuemeka, who falsely claimed to have scored 326 in the 2025 UTME. Investigations showed he had altered his 2024 result of 203 and had actually scored 180 in the 2025 exam before his result was withdrawn. He later deactivated his social media accounts following backlash.

It will be recalled that the initial results for the 2025 UTME were released on May 9.

Earlier, on May 14, JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede had disclosed that results for 379,997 candidates across 157 centres in Lagos and the South-East were invalidated due to a technical glitch. During the press conference, Prof. Oloyede broke down in tears while apologizing to affected candidates, attributing the problem to a faulty server update that disrupted data uploads during the first three days of the exam.