By Parrot Newspaper 
JAMB to Release Results of Rescheduled UTME on Wednesday, May 21
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it will release the results of the rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on Wednesday, May 21. The supplementary exam was conducted from Friday to Monday to accommodate 379,000 candidates who were unable to take the original 2025 UTME due to technical failures and administrative lapses—primarily in Lagos and parts of the South-East.
Understanding the Resit: Who It Affects and Why
The need for a rescheduled exam emerged following nationwide complaints over the credibility of the initial UTME. Many candidates experienced system malfunctions, biometric verification failures, and logistical issues that hindered their performance or prevented them from writing the exam entirely.
JAMB acknowledged these setbacks, with the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, describing them as a result of “acts of sabotage”. He assured the public that the board had taken full responsibility and was committed to ensuring fairness and transparency.
Shocking Figures from the Main Exam
Out of approximately 1.9 million candidates who sat for the original UTME, over 1.5 million scored below the halfway mark of 200 out of 400. Even more striking is the revelation that only 12,414 candidates—a mere 0.63%—scored 300 and above, while nearly half of all test-takers fell within the 160–199 score range.
These statistics triggered widespread debate on the integrity of the exam, the preparedness of candidates, and the standard of secondary education in Nigeria.
Breakdown of Affected Candidates
JAMB confirmed that the largest concentrations of affected candidates were in:
Lagos State: 206,610 candidates
South-East region: 173,387 candidates
These candidates faced significant disruptions that warranted a second opportunity to write the examination under improved conditions.
What Candidates Should Expect
Candidates who participated in the rescheduled UTME will receive their results via SMS, according to JAMB spokesperson Dr. Fabian Benjamin. The board has advised candidates to remain patient and assured that all results will be processed with utmost integrity.
Why This Matters
The UTME is a critical gateway into tertiary institutions in Nigeria, and any flaw in its conduct can have long-term implications for the country’s education system. JAMB’s decision to organize a resit is not just a corrective measure, but also a lesson in institutional accountability.
As candidates await their results, it is also a moment for stakeholders—parents, schools, and policymakers—to reflect on how to better prepare Nigerian students, improve digital infrastructure, and strengthen examination integrity.
—
Parrot Newspaper (ISSN 3092-8435) remains committed to providing clear, factual, and educational coverage on issues that shape the future of young Nigerians.