The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) disclosed the outcomes of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on Monday, revealing a significant shortfall in candidate performance. Out of the 1,842,464 candidates whose results were unveiled, a staggering 1,402,490 individuals fell short of the 200 out of 400 marks benchmark, marking a concerning trend.

Breaking down the results further, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed that while 8,401 candidates achieved scores of 300 and above, a vast majority struggled to reach even the 200 mark. With 78% of candidates failing to meet the minimum threshold, concerns arise regarding the overall preparedness and academic readiness of candidates.

Addressing the issue of top scorers, Prof. Oloyede emphasized JAMB’s stance on prioritizing the examination’s role as a ranking assessment, cautioning against undue emphasis on test scores alone. Despite public interest in identifying top performers, the registrar urged stakeholders to exercise discretion and verify claims before conferring awards.

Furthermore, the registrar highlighted that the results of 64,624 candidates were withheld pending further investigation into various issues, including procedural irregularities and suspected exam malpractice. Amidst a total of 1,989,668 registrations, the absence of 80,810 candidates raised additional questions about participation and engagement.

Prof. Oloyede also underscored JAMB’s commitment to internationalizing its operations, with examinations conducted in nine foreign centers to promote Nigerian educational institutions abroad. As the board continues its assessment and verification processes, the release of the 2024 UTME results signifies a crucial milestone in the educational journey of thousands of candidates across the country.