JAMB Releases List of Highest Scoring Candidates in 2025 UTME
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the list of the highest-scoring candidates in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), sparking renewed conversations about academic excellence and institutional preference among Nigeria’s top students.
This year’s results have placed the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in the spotlight, as it emerged the most preferred university among the top 10 candidates.
Topping the 2025 UTME chart is Okeke C. Christian, who scored a remarkable 375 and selected the University of Lagos as his first-choice institution.
Following closely is Ayuba S. John with a score of 374, who chose Afe Babalola University (ABUAD). A group of five candidates each scored 373, with a strong leaning towards UNILAG, further cementing the university’s dominance among the most outstanding performers.
Jimoh A. Olayinka, Roberts D. Ayibo, and Olawepo G. Tumise, all of whom attained this score, selected UNILAG, while Ononugbo C. Chibueze chose the University of Ibadan (UI), and Afinotan O. Leslie opted for Covenant University (CU).
Three more candidates achieved a score of 372. Azoyenime S. Chukwuemeka selected Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Oyebode O. Emmanuel again showed preference for UNILAG, and Omigie O. Cecil aligned with the University of Ibadan. With five of the ten top scorers choosing UNILAG as their first choice, the institution has clearly solidified its place as a leading destination for Nigeria’s brightest students in 2025.
The University of Ibadan followed with two of the top scorers, while Afe Babalola University, Covenant University, and Obafemi Awolowo University each attracted one of the remaining highest-performing candidates.
The dominance of UNILAG is particularly noteworthy this year, reinforcing the university’s growing reputation not only for academic rigour but also for its appeal to high-achieving secondary school graduates.
Interestingly, all 10 of the top scorers hail from the Southwest region of the country, a development that has prompted discussions around regional educational outcomes and disparities.
While the UTME is a nationwide examination designed to foster merit-based admissions, the regional concentration of top-performing students may draw further analysis from education policymakers and scholars.
