UTME 2026: Over 75% of Candidates Score Below 200

-Majority of candidates fall within 140–199 range; top scores remain extremely low nationwide

ABUJA — The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the breakdown of results for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), revealing that more than 75 percent of candidates scored below 200.

According to statistics released by the board, a total of 1,955,069 candidates registered for the examination, while results for 1,897,692 candidates have been released so far. The data paints a sobering picture of mass performance at the lower and middle bands, with only a tiny fraction of candidates attaining scores above 300.

The largest proportion of candidates – 983,187 (50.3%) – scored within the 160–199 range, making it the most populated score bracket. Another 488,197 candidates (25%) scored between 140 and 159. Combined, these two categories account for 75.3% of all candidates whose results have been released.

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In practical terms, more than three out of every four candidates scored below 200.

Top scores remain exceptional

At the upper end of the spectrum, the data shows that high performance remains rare. Only 334,560 candidates (17.1%) scored between 200 and 249, while 73,441 candidates (3.8%) scored between 250 and 299. A mere 12,414 candidates (0.6%) scored above 300.

Breaking down the top tier further, 7,658 candidates (0.4%) scored between 300 and 319, and just 4,756 candidates (0.2%) scored 320 and above.

On the lower end, 57,419 candidates (2.9%) scored between 120 and 139, 3,820 candidates (0.2%) scored between 100 and 119, while 2,031 candidates (0.1%) scored below 100.

What this means for admission seekers

Education stakeholders say the figures highlight the urgent need for improved teaching, better learning resources, and stronger exam preparation strategies across the country.

For candidates seeking admission into competitive courses such as Medicine, Law, and Engineering, the situation is particularly grim. With only 0.6% of candidates scoring above 300 – the range typically needed for such programmes – cut-off marks for these courses may remain very high as demand continues to rise.

“Success is not just about scoring high; it’s about preparing right,” stakeholders noted. They urged schools, parents, and candidates to adopt smarter study habits and early preparation to improve performance.

Expert calls for alternative pathways

Given the intense competition, experts are advising candidates to explore other pathways to tertiary education, including polytechnics, colleges of education, and skill-based programmes.

“Competition for university admission will be intense tomorrow because of the score distribution today,” one education analyst said. “Waiting for a slim admission slot into a few competitive courses may not be the wisest strategy.”

JAMB has not yet announced official cut-off marks for the 2026 admission cycle, but with over 75% of candidates scoring below 200, stakeholders expect many institutions to maintain lower benchmarks while top universities raise their requirements even higher.

UTME 2026: Over 75% of Candidates Score Below 200

JAMB Declares Viral 394 UTME Result Fake, Warns Public

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dismissed a widely circulated result slip claiming that a candidate from Cross River State scored 394 out of 400 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), describing it as fake and misleading.

The result, which trended on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), was shared by user @Onsogbu and purportedly showed a candidate identified as Okon Winniefred Sampson scoring near-perfect marks across four subjects: Use of English (96), Biology (99), Chemistry (98), and Physics (99).

The post generated significant online reactions, with many users praising what appeared to be an exceptional academic performance before it was later questioned.

In a statement issued on Sunday, JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that the document did not originate from the board and should be disregarded by the public.

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“A purported result slip currently being circulated, claiming that a candidate scored 394 in the 2026 UTME, is entirely fake. It is surprising that such a fabrication is being shared by otherwise well-informed Nigerians,” the statement said.

Benjamin explained that UTME results are strictly view-only and cannot be printed or circulated in unofficial formats, adding that the viral document was generated using a fabricated template.

He further noted that the registration number shown on the alleged result does not match JAMB’s official system format, which is automatically generated and follows a structured pattern.

“Firstly, the Board has clearly stated that UTME results are view-only. The circulated document appears on a fabricated result template, which on its own is sufficient indication that it is not authentic,” he said.

“Secondly, the Board’s registration numbers are system-generated and do not follow the pattern seen on the fake slip. There are several inconsistencies that expose the result as fraudulent,” he added.

The examination body stressed that candidates and the general public must rely only on official JAMB channels for result verification, warning against the spread of misinformation and fake examination results on social media.

JAMB also reiterated that it has in recent years strengthened its digital systems to curb result manipulation, impersonation, and examination malpractice, urging Nigerians to verify any UTME-related information directly from its official platforms.

The board advised the public to disregard the viral post in its entirety, noting that all authentic UTME results remain accessible only through its approved result-checking system.

JAMB Declares Viral 394 UTME Result Fake, Warns Public

Tinubu Approves Fresh Education Appointments

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a series of new appointments across key education agencies in Nigeria, including the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), in a move aimed at strengthening governance and improving standards in the education sector.

The appointments were announced on Wednesday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the decision reflects ongoing reforms under the Federal Ministry of Education to enhance institutional efficiency and service delivery.

As part of the changes, Tinubu appointed Prof. Modupe Adeola Adelabu as Chairman of the Governing Board of NECO, while retaining Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi as Registrar of the examination body to ensure continuity in national examination administration.

The President also named Prof. Babatunde Salako as Chairman of the NBTE, while earlier confirming the reappointment of Prof. Idris Bugaje as Executive Secretary of the agency for a second and final five-year term.

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In the polytechnic sector, the President approved the appointment of Dr Bongfa Binfa as Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, N’yak-Shendam, Plateau State, for a single five-year tenure. Binfa succeeds Dr Mukaila Zakari Ya’u, whose tenure ended in March 2026. Before his appointment, he served as Deputy Rector (Academic) at the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny.

Tinubu also renewed the tenure of Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi as Director-General of the National Library of Nigeria for a final five-year term. Her renewed mandate is expected to sustain ongoing reforms, including the expansion of digital learning platforms such as the National Repository of Nigeria and the National Virtual Library.

According to the presidency, the appointments are designed to strengthen leadership across education agencies in Nigeria, promote education reform in Nigeria, and improve the performance of institutions responsible for examinations, technical training, and knowledge management.

Officials noted that Prof. Adelabu brings extensive experience in educational administration, having previously served as Deputy Governor of Ekiti State and NBTE chairman, while Prof. Salako is a former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research.

The government said the renewed and new appointments will help consolidate ongoing reforms, enhance institutional stability, and support long-term projects such as the completion of the National Library headquarters in Abuja.

Analysts say the latest move reflects the Tinubu administration’s broader push to reposition Nigeria’s education system through experienced leadership, continuity in key agencies, and a stronger focus on technical and digital learning infrastructure.

Tinubu Approves Fresh Education Appointments