The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Friday officially released the much-anticipated 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, while confirming that 39,834 results have been withheld over suspected examination malpractice.
Speaking at the JAMB headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, revealed that the decision to withhold the results followed cases of infractions ranging from identity fraud to impersonation and biometric violations.
According to Oloyede, 80 individuals are currently being interrogated for their involvement in exam-related offences, with Anambra State recording the highest number of suspects. The registrar further disclosed that 96 results were seized outright for confirmed malpractices — a slight improvement from the 123 cases recorded in 2024.
The JAMB boss stated that of the 1,957,000 candidates registered for the 2025 UTME, a total of 71,705 were absent, while 2,157 candidates faced fingerprint rejection issues linked to suspected registration violations. He added that 1,426 results are still under scrutiny.
Emerging Trends in 2025 UTME Malpractices
Oloyede highlighted new forms of malpractice identified in this year’s examination cycle, particularly cases of identity fraud, biometric manipulation involving combined thumbprints, and impersonation during registration. He noted the involvement of a few Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in these schemes.
Further compounding the issue, 244 candidates were caught engaging in illegal “WhatsApp runs” and had their results withheld as a deterrent to others. Additionally, 3,656 results were seized due to multiple extraneous fingerprints traced back to compromised CBT centres.
The implicated centres include:
Tigh Technologies Limited
Sascon International School, Maitama, Abuja
Wudil Computer Information Technology, Wudil, Kano State
Penta M & Centre 2, Tambuwal LGA, Sokoto
Four other CBT centres were delisted and blacklisted for technical shortcomings and poor performance. These are:
Adventure Associate, Behind Sheshe Supermarket, Kano
Saadatu Rimi College of Education, Zaria
Soronara Ventures Nigeria Limited, Mbaitoli, Imo State
HSS Amazing, Isunba, Lafenwa, Itele, Ogun State
Underage and Special Needs Candidates in the Spotlight
This year, JAMB recorded 41,027 underage candidates, with 467 meeting high-performance benchmarks. However, one candidate from this category was disqualified for malpractice. Meanwhile, 501 candidates living with disabilities benefited from JAMB’s Equal Opportunity Group initiative — although, regrettably, one was implicated in impersonation.
How to Check the 2025 UTME Results
Candidates who sat for the 2025 UTME can now check their results by sending ‘UTMERESULT’ via SMS to either 55019 or 66019 using the phone number used during registration. Result slips will be available for printing at a later date.
JAMB Reaffirms Zero Tolerance for Exam Malpractice
Despite these challenges, Oloyede described the 2025 UTME as one of the most successful in recent years. He reiterated the board’s zero-tolerance policy for examination malpractice and emphasized JAMB’s commitment to innovation and integrity in Nigeria’s tertiary admission process.
A full list of blacklisted centres and individuals implicated in fraudulent activities will soon be made public, the registrar assured.
