From 299 to 374: A look at UTME top scorers over 13 years

Over the past 13 years, Nigeria’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination has seen a steady rise in the highest scores recorded, moving from 299 in the first computer-based test to an all-time high of 374 in 2025.

Each year, a handful of candidates out of nearly two million test-takers emerge as the top performers across the country.

2026

Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin from Ekiti State scored 372 in the most recent UTME. She has chosen to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Lagos. Enwere Kingsley Ikenna followed closely with 370, while Bamisile Ayomide Emmanuel recorded 369.

2025 – All-time record

Okeke Chinedu Christian from Anambra State set a new benchmark with a score of 374. Examination authorities described it as the highest score recorded since the computer-based test was introduced in 2013.

2024

Three candidates shared the top spot with identical scores of 367. They were Olowu Joseph Oluwasijibomi from Ondo State, Alayande David from Oyo State, and Orukpe Joel Ehijele from Edo State.

2023

Umeh Kamsiyochukwu Nkechinyere, a student of Deeper Life High School in Ogun State, scored 360 to emerge as the highest candidate. Her achievement drew national attention and a full scholarship from the Anambra State government.

2022

Adebayo Eyimofe Oluwatofunmi from Ekiti State topped the examination with a score of 362.

2021

Monwuba Chibuzo Chibuikem led all candidates with 358. He later proceeded to study engineering at the University of South Florida in the United States.

2020

Maduafokwa Egoagwuagwu Agnes from Anambra State scored 365. She went on to study Mechanical Engineering at Duke University in the United States under a prestigious scholarship.

2019

Ezeunala Ekene Franklin, aged just 15, scored 347, making him one of the youngest top scorers in the history of the examination.

2018

Galadima Israel Zakari from Borno State recorded 364, one of the strongest performances of that era.

2017

Akingbulugbe Precious Ayomide emerged as the highest scorer with 353.

2016

Two candidates tied for the top position with 359 each. Akenbor Adesuwa Osarugue from Edo State studied Medicine at the University of Benin, while Anonye Victory Emenike pursued Medicine and Surgery at the University of Jos.

2015

Ilukwe Lottachukwu Geraldine, a student of Loyola Jesuit College in Abuja, topped with 332. She later read law at the London School of Economics and now practices as a lawyer and consultant in the United Kingdom.

2014

Onomejoh Princewill scored 299 to lead all candidates. He graduated with a first-class degree from the University of Benin.

2013

Olise Israel Chukwunalu scored 299 in the inaugural computer-based UTME. He gained admission to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ibadan and has since qualified as a medical doctor.