Anambra, Imo Lead States with Most UTME Malpractice Centres in 2025

$Over 78.5 percent of candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scored below 200, according to data released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The examination body disclosed that out of the 1,955,069 registered candidates, 1,883,368 actually sat for the exam, while 71,701 were absent. Of those who participated, a staggering 1,534,654 scored below 200. In contrast, only 432,829 candidates scored 200 and above—an equivalent of 22.13 percent. The performance breakdown showed a significant drop in high scorers: 98,269 candidates scored 250 and above, representing just 5.02 percent. Only 24,828 candidates scored 300 and above, accounting for a mere 1.26 percent. “Of the total number registered, 97 candidates were involved in examination infractions, while 2,157 others are currently undergoing investigations for suspected malpractices,” JAMB said in a statement. Last year, the National Minimum Tolerable UTME Score (NTMUS) was pegged at 140.$

Anambra and Imo states top the list of states with the highest number of CBT centres flagged for biometric-related malpractices in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), according to newly released figures by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The list, titled “2025 UTME – Menace of Malpractice,” identifies 19 CBT centres across 10 states where candidates were registered through “finger-paring” — a biometric fraud technique used to impersonate candidates by bypassing fingerprint verification.

Anambra accounted for six of the listed centres, while Imo followed with four. Other states on the list include Ebonyi, Enugu, and Kano (two centres each), and Abia, Delta, Edo, Kaduna, and Rivers (one centre each).

The malpractice figures are reflected in the “No of Registrants” column — representing candidates whose biometric data were fraudulently captured. The centre with the highest number of flagged registrants was Kachukwu Ventures Staff Development Centre in Anambra, with 15 compromised registrations, followed by Annunciation ICT Centre in Ebonyi and Mr. Gr8 ICT in Anambra, both with 13 each.

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In contrast, the “No of Candidates” column shows the total number of UTME candidates who sat for the exam at each centre — not necessarily those involved in malpractice.

During his presentation, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of JAMB, said that impersonators made use of albinos for the purpose of image bending and remote uploads, among others.

JAMB has repeatedly warned that biometric manipulation — especially finger-paring — undermines the integrity of the exam process and will not be tolerated. Sanctions, including the delisting of affected centres and prosecution of offenders, are expected to follow.