More than 2,030,000 candidates are scheduled to sit for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which kicks off today across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The figure comes from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which confirmed that registration ran from February 3 to March 8, 2025, giving prospective students a full month to complete the process.
Earlier in the year, over 200,000 candidates took part in a mock UTME designed to prepare them for the main examination. However, the process was not without challenges. About 180 candidates are now facing penalties after falling into a sting operation set up by JAMB to identify and punish those attempting to cheat.
JAMB Registrar, during a visit to monitor the mock exams, emphasized that academic integrity remains the foundation of the Board’s work. He revealed that a fake website was created by JAMB to lure students looking to buy leaked exam questions. According to him, the site attracted payments from 180 candidates, all of whom will now face severe consequences. These include cancellation of both UTME and Direct Entry results.
“The best way to pass the UTME is to study,” he said, warning candidates against falling for fraudsters who promise leaked questions in exchange for money.
The Board’s proactive approach to curbing malpractice comes amid continued concerns over the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary admissions process. As the 2025 UTME begins, JAMB has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and fairness, ensuring that only those who earn their scores legitimately can secure admission into the nation’s universities and other tertiary institutions.
