The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has registered over 1.2 million candidates for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) within the first three weeks of the registration exercise. The board disclosed this in its weekly bulletin published on Monday, 24 February 2025.
According to JAMB, 201,867 candidates were registered in the first week, 560,025 in the second week, and 528,823 in the third week, bringing the total number of registered candidates to 1,290,715 in just 19 days. The registration, which commenced on 3 February, is scheduled to end on 8 March 2025.
Comparing Previous Years’ UTME Registrations
JAMB consistently records high registration numbers for UTME annually. In 2024, the board registered over 1.9 million candidates, while in 2023, the figure stood at approximately 1.6 million candidates. However, despite the high number of applicants, only a fraction secures admission into tertiary institutions due to limited admission slots.
The 2024 UTME results revealed that 76% of candidates scored below 200 out of the total 400 obtainable marks, highlighting concerns over the quality of education and student preparedness. Similar trends were observed in 2023, where a majority of candidates struggled to attain competitive scores for university admission.
JAMB’s Financial Commitment to CBT Centres
In line with its tradition, JAMB has disbursed a total of N903.5 million to Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres to support the smooth conduct of the examination. The payments were distributed as follows:
N141 million in the first week
N392 million in the second week
N370 million in the third week
This financial commitment ensures that the centres maintain adequate facilities and resources for candidates during the examination process.
Introduction of UTME Mock Trial for Underage Students
For the first time, JAMB has introduced the UTME Mock Trial, specifically designed for underage students who are not yet eligible to register for the standard UTME. This initiative aims to prepare younger students ahead of their eventual participation in the UTME once they attain the required age of 16 years, as mandated by the Federal Ministry of Education in 2024.
Suspension of Law Admissions in Eight Universities
Meanwhile, JAMB has announced that it will not conduct admissions for the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme in eight universities for the 2025/2026 academic session. This decision follows the suspension of law programmes in these institutions by the Council of Legal Education (CLE), the highest regulatory body for legal education in Nigeria.
The affected universities are:
1. Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin, Kwara State
2. Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State
3. Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State
4. Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State
5. Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State
6. Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State
7. Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State
8. Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State
The CLE’s decision is based on concerns over the accreditation status and quality of legal education in these institutions. This move mirrors past actions taken by the regulatory body to ensure that only law faculties meeting the required academic and infrastructural standards are allowed to admit students.
Conclusion
JAMB continues to play a crucial role in regulating admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions, ensuring adherence to set standards. While the 2025 UTME registration has witnessed strong participation, concerns over the quality of education, performance levels, and limited admission opportunities remain critical challenges. The introduction of the UTME Mock Trial is a notable step towards early academic preparedness, while the suspension of law admissions in certain universities underscores JAMB’s commitment to maintaining quality education standards.
As the registration process continues, stakeholders in the education sector will be watching closely to see how JAMB navigates the challenges of high candidate turnout, infrastructural needs, and the overall credibility of the examination system.
References
JAMB Weekly Bulletin, 24 February 2025
JAMB Annual Reports (2023, 2024)
Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria (2024)
Council of Legal Education (CLE) Reports
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