Bwari: The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) announced the withholding of results for 96 candidates due to examination infractions, marking a decrease from 123 incidents reported in the previous year. This announcement was made by the Registrar of JAMB, Ishaq Oloyede, during a news conference regarding the official release of the 2025 UTME results.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the 2025 UTME registered 2,030,862 candidates across 882 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers nationwide. Out of these, 1,957,000 candidates were verified to take the exam, while 71,705 candidates were absent. In total, results for 1,911,551 candidates were released. The registrar noted that 39,834 results are still pending due to ongoing scrutiny, with 1,426 under active investigation.
Oloyede highlighted that 2,157 candidates faced fingerprint rejections due to suspected registration infractions, indicating systemic vulnerabilities in the registration and examination process. Specific infractions included identity fraud and biometric fraud involving combined thumbprints of candidates, alongside impersonation and double registration.
Additionally, 244 candidates were caught engaging in "WhatsApp runs," subscribing to rogue groups promising leaked questions. As a consequence, their results have been withheld. Oloyede pointed out that some syndicates colluded with CBT centers to register using multiple fingerprints, resulting in the withholding of results for 3,656 candidates.
The implicated centers include Tigh Technologies Limited, Sascon International School, Maitama, Abuja, Wudil Computer Information Technology, Wudil, Kano State, and Penta M and Centre 2, Tambuwal LGA, Sokoto, Sokoto State. Furthermore, 80 suspects are being interrogated by the police for their involvement in examination malpractices.
Discussing underage candidates, Oloyede mentioned that following the Ministry of Education's decision to enforce a minimum age of 16, an exception was granted for "exceptionally gifted" underage students. Among the 41,027 underage candidates registered, only 467 met the high-performance criteria, with one disqualified due to examination malpractice.
Oloyede also reaffirmed JAMB's commitment to providing support for persons with disabilities aspiring to pursue tertiary education. For the 2025 UTME, 501 candidates were successfully examined by the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) across 11 centers nationwide, although one was involved in impersonation.
Regarding technical deficiencies, four centers have been delisted and blacklisted. These include Adventure Associate, Behind Sheshe Supermarket, Kano, Saadatu Rimi College of Education, Zaria, Soronara Ventures Nigeria Limited Foundation Road, Umudagu Mbieri, Mbaitoli, Imo State, and HSS Amazing, Holy Saviour School, Old Ota Road, Ogun State. A list of those blacklisted for fraudulent practices will soon be made public.
Despite the challenges, Oloyede maintained that the 2025 UTME was hailed as one of the most successful in recent years. He reaffirmed JAMB's zero-tolerance stance on malpractice and pledged ongoing innovation to protect the credibility of public examinations.