The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released a comprehensive record of the highest scorers in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) from 2013 to 2026, highlighting a gradual rise in outstanding performances as Nigeria’s tertiary entrance examination becomes increasingly competitive.
The compilation shows that the highest UTME score ever recorded in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) era remains 374 out of 400, achieved in 2025 by Okeke Chinedu Christian from Anambra State. The record-setting performance has been widely described by education stakeholders as a benchmark in recent examination history.
In 2026, Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin from Ekiti State topped the examination with 372, followed by other high-performing candidates who scored between 367 and 370, reflecting a continued trend of strong academic outcomes among Nigerian students.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, noted that the consistent improvement in UTME scores over the years demonstrates growing familiarity with the CBT system and enhanced preparation by candidates nationwide.
According to the historical data, top scorers in previous years include 360 in 2023, 362 in 2022, 358 in 2021, and 365 in 2020, which at the time was considered one of the strongest performances before being surpassed in later examinations.
Earlier years recorded lower peak scores, with 299 being the highest in both 2013 and 2014, marking the early phase of the CBT transition in Nigeria’s admission process.
Education analysts say the steady rise in UTME top scores reflects improvements in digital literacy, expanded access to learning resources, and increased competition among candidates seeking admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
The UTME remains one of the most competitive examinations in Africa, with over two million candidates sitting annually for admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country.
