The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reaffirmed that obtaining a high score in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) may not automatically guarantee admission into Nigerian universities.
JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, February 9, 2025, stressed that admission decisions are based on multiple factors, including candidates’ O’level results, UTME scores, and post-UTME performance.
“A high UTME score alone does not secure admission. Universities consider various criteria, including ranking based on merit, catchment areas, and quotas for Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS),” the statement read.
JAMB’s response follows growing concerns from candidates and parents who allege that universities are denying admission to students despite their high UTME scores.
While citing a recent case, the board addressed the complaint of a parent, Godwin Nsan, who accused the University of Calabar of unfairly rejecting his son.
JAMB’s investigation revealed that the candidate, despite scoring 201 in UTME, had an aggregate score of 34 per cent, which was below the university’s minimum cut-off marks of 55 per cent for merit-based admission and 35 per cent for other categories.
Similarly, another candidate who scored 345 in UTME accused the University of Jos (UniJos) of denying him admission.
However, after a review at JAMB’s headquarters, it was revealed that the candidate ranked 86th, while the university could only admit 68 candidates on merit. The candidate’s father, after receiving the explanation, acknowledged the process and apologised.
“In some universities, a UTME score of 345 may still rank a candidate as low as 300, depending on the institution’s capacity and competition,” JAMB noted.
JAMB urged parents and candidates to understand the holistic admission process rather than assuming that a high UTME score guarantees a spot in their preferred institutions.
“Admission is competitive, and institutions must adhere to a structured ranking process. We advise parents to seek clarification through the appropriate channels instead of making unfounded allegations,” JAMB stated.
The board also reminded candidates that they could challenge admission decisions through its official ‘ticketing platform,’ which allows for inquiries and appeals.
Meanwhile, JAMB disclosed that a senior university official is currently being prosecuted for alleged admission-related offences, with four others under investigation.
The board reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on admission irregularities, assuring Nigerians that it remains committed to a fair and transparent selection process while taking action against any institution or individual found engaging in questionable practices.
