The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reiterated that scoring high in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) does not automatically guarantee admission into Nigerian universities and polytechnics.
JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, made this clarification in a statement issued on Sunday, February 9, 2025, emphasizing that multiple factors determine admission decisions.
“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.
The board’s response follows concerns raised by candidates and parents who allege that some universities are denying admission to students despite their high UTME scores.
Citing a recent case, JAMB addressed the complaint of a parent, Godwin Nsan, who accused the University of Calabar of unfairly rejecting his son.
JAMB’s investigation found that although the candidate scored 201 in UTME, his aggregate score was 34 percent, which fell below the university’s minimum cut-off marks—55 percent for merit-based admission and 35 percent for other categories.
In a similar case, another candidate who scored 345 in UTME alleged that the University of Jos (UniJos) denied him admission.
However, after a review at JAMB’s headquarters, it was revealed that the candidate ranked 86th, whereas the university had space for only 68 candidates on merit.
The candidate’s father, after receiving this explanation, accepted the outcome and apologized.
“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.
The board urged parents and candidates to understand the holistic nature of the admission process rather than assuming that a high UTME score alone is sufficient.
“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.
JAMB also reminded candidates that they have the option to challenge admission decisions via its official ‘ticketing platform,’ which provides a channel for inquiries and appeals.
Meanwhile, the board disclosed that a senior university official is currently facing prosecution for alleged admission-related offences, with four others under investigation.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, JAMB assured Nigerians that it would take action against any institution or individual found engaging in admission irregularities.
