Galadimma Zakari from Biu in Borno State scored the highest in the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has affirmed.
JAMB, in a statement by its Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, in Abuja, on Sunday, said the disclosure of the highest scorers became necessary to put the records straight. The release followed controversies generated by claims that Ape Moses from Benue was the top scorer.
The disclosure, he said, was to correct the wrong impression in a publication that Ape Moses from Benue State scored the highest mark in the examination.
JAMB said the claim that Moses scored the highest marks was not true.
In the statement, Benjamin said 1.3 million candidates sat for the examination and Galadima Zakari from Biu in Borno State recorded the highest score of 364.
JAMB said that Zakari sat for the examination in Ogun State, but The Rainbow investigation showed that he sat for the examination from the faith Academy Ota, Ogun State.
He said Adekunle Jesufemi who is from Ogun State came second with 358 marks.
He sat for the examination in Abeokuta.
In the third place is Alikah Oseghale from Edo State with 357 marks.
Oseghale sat for the examination in Ekpoma.
In the fourth position is Ademola Adetola from Ogun State with 355 marks.
He sat for the examination in Lagos.
Three people came fifth in the examination with 354 marks each.
They are Akinyemi Paul from Ogun State who sat for the examination in Lagos State; Ape Moses from Benue State who sat for the examination in Makurdi and Obi-Obuoha Abiamamela from Rivers who sat for the examination in Port Harcourt.
JAMB said it was open to anyone who might need necessary information so that the public would not be misled.
His words: “The Board appeals to all interested individuals and organisations who would want to use its data for research, reportage and other national necessary disposition to always contact it for accurate and up to date information.
“This is so as not to misdirect the public into taking wrong and misleading conclusions.
“Our doors are always open to any request especially when the nation would be the ultimate beneficiary.”
