6m UTME Candidates Missed Varsity Admission in 5yrs

An analysis of official data by The PUNCH has disclosed that no fewer than six million candidates who participated in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) over the last five academic sessions were unable to gain admission into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions.

From 2020 to 2024, more than 8.9 million candidates enrolled in the annual entrance exam overseen by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

Nonetheless, approximately 2.7 million were granted admission, resulting in a shocking six million left without placement, many of whom are compelled to re-register and retake the exam in the following years.

Among the six million affected candidates, over 5,000 achieved scores of 300 and above out of the maximum 400 in the UTME.

Conducted by JAMB, the UTME is the sole recognized examination for individuals seeking admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

Although some universities may still hold post-UTME tests for candidates aiming for their institutions, no individual can secure admission without a result validated by JAMB.

JAMB has identified several factors contributing to the low admission rates for candidates, as our correspondent noted that even those scoring as high as 300 failed to gain entry.

The UTME generally consists of four subject combinations, with each subject rated out of a total of 100 marks.

While students can select their subject combinations based on their desired field of study, English is a mandatory subject for all applicants aiming for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

During the 2020/2021 academic session, a total of 1,949,983 candidates took the UTME, but only 551,553 admission slots were filled according to JAMB’s policy meeting document for 2021.

This resulted in 1,398,430 candidates not receiving admission.

In the 2021/2022 academic session, the number of candidates who sat for the examination was 1,400,000, but only 312,666 gained admission, leaving 1,087,333 without placement.

In the 2022/2023 academic session, there was a significant increase, as 1,800,000 candidates took the examination.

However, just 557,625 of the admission quotas were filled, based on the report shared during the 2023 JAMB policy meeting held in Abuja.

According to the data, 1,242,375 candidates did not gain admission.

For the 2023/2024 academic session, 1,635,881 candidates participated in the exam, while only 639,263 were placed in higher institutions.

In the 2024/2025 admissions session, over two million candidates took the examination, while just slightly over 600,000 were admitted.

Regarding the reasons why even high-scoring candidates were unable to secure admission, JAMB, in the documents obtained, indicated issues such as “Incorrect O’Level subject combination; low post-UTME screening scores; rejection of admission offers; application duplication; absence at post-UTME screening; and catchment area mismatch.”

Meanwhile, education experts have urged that JAMB prolong the validity of its results.

Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, Programme Director of Reform Education Nigeria, commented, “I believe the best approach would be for JAMB to extend the validity of the UTME.

“For example, with WAEC, if you aren’t able to use your results for admission the year you graduate, you can still utilize them later.

“Therefore, JAMB should extend the validity so that individuals won’t have to pay every year, especially given the challenging economic conditions in the country.”

Another educationist, Omotomiwa Daniels, remarked, “Each year we hear of this significant number of candidates taking the examination.

“The ones who aren’t admitted end up retaking it annually until they succeed. Why not extend the UTME result validity from one year to perhaps two or three years?”