The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, says more than one-point-five million candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, scored below 200 out of a total of 400 marks.

The board disclosed this in a breakdown of results released on its official X handle on Monday.

According to JAMB, out of the 1,955,069 candidates who wrote the examination nationwide, 1,534,654, representing about 78.5 per cent scored less than 200.

A closer look at the statistics shows that only 4,756 candidates, about 0.24 percent, scored 320 and above, while 7,658 candidates, or 0.39 percent, scored between 300 and 319.

Altogether, 12,414 candidates scored 300 marks and above, accounting for just 0.63 percent of the total number.

In the 250 to 299 range, 73,441 candidates, roughly 3.76 per cent were recorded, while 334,560 candidates, representing 17.11 percent, scored between 200 and 249.

The highest number of candidates fell within the 160 to 199 range, with 983,187 candidates making up 50.29 percent of the total candidates.

In the lower brackets, 488,197 candidates scored between 140 and 159, while 57,419 scored between 120 and 139. Additionally, 3,820 candidates scored between 100 and 119, and 2,031 candidates scored below 100 marks.

JAMB also revealed that 40,247 underage candidates were allowed to sit for the examination based on what it described as “exceptional abilities.” However, only 467 of them met the performance benchmark for such classification and would undergo further assessments in three subsequent evaluation stages.

Meanwhile, the board said 97 candidates have been linked to examination misconduct, while 2,157 others are currently under investigation for suspected malpractice.

It added that 71,701 candidates were absent during the exams, and a number of others are being screened for biometric verification issues. JAMB assured that those cleared would be rescheduled to sit for the exam at designated centers.

The examination body also noted that results for certain categories, including visually impaired candidates and those under the JEOG scheme, are still being processed and will be released once completed.

JAMB assured candidates and the public that those affected by technical or biometric issues would be treated fairly. It added that a formal press briefing would be held later in the week to explain how results can be accessed and address any public concerns.