Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has unveiled the results for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The announcement came from JAMB’s Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, during a press conference at the board’s headquarters in Bwari, on the outskirts of Abuja.
Truth Live News gathered that, this year, a staggering 1.94 million candidates registered and participated in the examination across 118 towns and over 700 centers nationwide. The examination spanned from Friday, April 19th, to Monday, April 29th, with a total of 1,904,189 candidates sitting for the UTME within the six-day period. Notably, out of the 1,989,668 registered candidates, 80,810 were absent.
Oloyede disclosed that only 0.4% of the 1,842,464 released results scored above 300, while 24% achieved a score of 200 and above. Shockingly, the majority—76%—scored below 200, amounting to 1,402,490 candidates.
JAMB reiterated its decision not to publish the name of the highest-scoring candidate, emphasizing that the UTME serves as a ranking examination and not a measure of individual excellence.
Critics have suggested that the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format has diminished examination malpractice, potentially revealing more accurate scores than in previous years. However, some attribute lower scores to the distractions of modern culture, such as TikTok and comedy skits. Nevertheless, the performance of 8,401 candidates who exhibited exceptional talent has been lauded.
The release of the UTME results has sparked various opinions, with some highlighting positive aspects and others expressing concerns. Overall, the outcome reflects a mix of commendable achievements and areas for improvement in the education system.