Every admission season in Nigeria produces stories of exceptional academic performance, but only a few candidates rise to the very top of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
From the beginning of the computer-based testing era in 2013, JAMB’s annual records have continued to reflect a gradual increase in the highest scores attained by candidates across the country.
The progression has also highlighted changing trends in preparation methods, competition levels and performance standards among students seeking university admission.
Official records released by JAMB show that the highest UTME score moved from 299 in 2013 to a record-breaking 374 in 2025.
Below is a year-by-year review of the candidates who topped the examination between 2013 and 2026.
2026
Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin from Ekiti State emerged as the highest scorer in the 2026 UTME with 372 out of 400.
The candidate selected the University of Lagos for Medicine and Surgery.
JAMB records also showed that Enwere Kingsley Ikenna scored 370, while Bamisile Ayomide Emmanuel recorded 369.
Several other candidates scored between 367 and 368 in the examination year.
2025
Okeke Chinedu Christian from Anambra State set a new all-time record after scoring 374 in the 2025 UTME.
During a press briefing, The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, described the result as “the best highest in the last one and half decades.”
The score became the highest recorded since JAMB introduced the computer-based testing model.
2024
Three candidates jointly occupied the top position in 2024 after recording 367 each.
The candidates were Olowu Joseph Oluwasijibomi from Ondo State, Alayande David from Oyo State and Orukpe Joel Ehijele from Edo State.
JAMB data showed that less than one per cent of candidates scored 300 and above that year.
2023
Umeh Kamsiyochukwu Nkechinyere from Anambra State scored 360 to emerge as the top candidate in 2023.
She attended Deeper Life High School in Mowe, Ogun State.
Her performance later attracted public commendation from The Governor Of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, who offered her a scholarship.
2022
Adebayo Eyimofe Oluwatofunmi from Ekiti State recorded 362 to top the 2022 examination.
JAMB documents listed the candidate among the best-performing students nationwide for that admission cycle.
2021
Monwuba Chibuzo Chibuikem scored 358 to lead all candidates in 2021.
He later gained admission to study electrical, electronics and communications engineering at the University of South Florida in the United States.
2020
Maduafokwa Egoagwuagwu Agnes from Anambra State recorded 365 in the 2020 UTME.
The score stood as the highest in the CBT era until it was surpassed in 2025.
She later studied Mechanical Engineering at Duke University in the United States under the Karsh International Scholarship.
2019
Ezeunala Ekene Franklin scored 347 at the age of 15 to emerge as the highest scorer in 2019.
He graduated from Meiran Community Senior High School in Lagos.
His age made him one of the youngest candidates to top the national examination.
2018
Galadima Israel Zakari from Borno State scored 364 in the 2018 UTME.
The result ranked among the strongest performances recorded during the CBT era.
JAMB records confirmed the score as the highest for that examination year.
2017
Akingbulugbe Precious Ayomide emerged as the best-performing candidate in 2017 after scoring 353.
Although the result received limited publicity at the time, it was later confirmed in JAMB’s historical records.
2016
Two candidates shared the top position in 2016 with identical scores of 359.
The candidates were Akenbor Adesuwa Osarugue from Edo State and Anonye Victory Emenike.
Adesuwa later studied Medicine at the University of Benin, while Anonye pursued Medicine and Surgery at the University of Jos.
2015
Ilukwe Lottachukwu Geraldine emerged as the highest scorer in 2015 with 332.
She attended Loyola Jesuit College in Abuja.
She later studied law at the London School of Economics and Political Science before becoming a legal practitioner and consultant in the United Kingdom.
2014
Onomejoh Princewill scored 299 to top the 2014 UTME.
He later graduated from the University of Benin with a first-class degree and emerged as the best graduating student in his faculty.
2013
Olise Israel Chukwunalu became the first candidate to top the CBT-era UTME after scoring 299 in 2013.
He secured admission to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ibadan.
He later qualified as a medical doctor, marking the beginning of a new era in JAMB’s computer-based examination history.
