The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the top performers in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), and the results are nothing short of exhilarating. But amid celebrations, there’s a surprising twist that casts a shadow over the top scorer’s triumph.
Who topped the 2025 UTME?
Speaking at the 2025 Policy Meeting in Abuja, JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede declared the following outstanding candidates:
Okeke Chinedu Christian (Anambra)—375/400, first choice: Mechanical Engineering, UNILAG
Ayuba Simon-Peter John (Gombe)—374/400, first choice: Mechanical Engineering, ABUAD
Jimoh Abdulmalik Olayinka (Kwara) – 373/400, first choice: Mechanical Engineering, UNILAG
4–9. Other high-scorers—Roberts Damiete (Rivers), Ononugbo Chigozirim (Enugu), Olawepo Gertrude (Kwara), Afinotan Leslie (Delta), Azoyenime Samuel (Delta), Oyebode Oluwapelumi (Ogun)—each scored between 373 and 372 points and named Mechanical Engineering or related disciplines as their top choice.
Spotlight on the Top Scorer—Discrepancy Detected
Shortly after unveiling the results, JAMB launched an investigation into Okeke Chinedu Christian. Records reveal he was previously admitted into medicine at UNN four years ago, and there’s no evidence of withdrawal or transfer.
Dual Enrollment: JAMB flagged that Okeke might be registering as both an undergraduate and UTME candidate—a practice explicitly prohibited
Official Measures: JAMB has reached out to UNN and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to verify his matriculation status before proceeding with admission to UNILAG.
Registrar Oloyede emphasized:
“The law does not allow a student to matriculate twice. We suspect foul play.”
This issue highlights JAMB’s efforts to maintain the integrity of the UTME and weed out dual-enrollment discrepancies.
Noteworthy Numbers & Exam Policy Updates
Cut-off Marks Announced: Minimum UTME scores are set at 150 for universities, 100 for polytechnics, and 140 for colleges of nursing, with all candidates required to meet these thresholds for admissions.
Minimum Entry Age: The minimum age of 16 for tertiary admission is reiterated to close loopholes for underage candidates.
What This Means for Stakeholders
For top scorers: Worthy contenders like Ayuba, Jimoh, and others have strong cases for mechanical engineering programs—expect admissions to proceed.
For Okeke Chinedu: His admission hinges on the ongoing investigation; a clean bill from UNN and the Medical Council is essential.
For JAMB’s Reputation: Enforcing regulations reinforces public confidence in their commitment to fair and credible exams.
For Candidates Nationwide: The episode underscores the importance of transparency and record accuracy in UTME applications.
What to Watch Next
Outcome of Investigation: Will Okeke’s scores be validated, or will JAMB cancel his results?
Admission Updates: Will he secure a seat at UNILAG, or will the next-highest scorer—Ayuba—be offered admission?
Policy Impact: Could stricter data cross-check measures become permanent to prevent dual-enrollment cases?
JAMB’s 2025 UTME results celebrate academic excellence, especially in core science fields. Yet, the probe into the top scorer’s background serves as a powerful reminder: success must go hand-in-hand with integrity. As stakeholders await the final verdict, one thing remains clear—fairness and transparency are vital pillars for Nigerian tertiary admissions.
