- Releases first batch of results, warns against manipulation
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the arrest of two candidates and a parent for allegedly falsifying 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other electronic tools.
The Board disclosed their arrest on Friday while releasing the results of 632,788 candidates who participated in the first day of the examination on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
A statement by JAMB Spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, said the suspects were apprehended for manipulating official SMS result notifications to fabricate or alter scores with the intention of deceiving parents, guardians and members of the public.
The statement further said: “Currently, two candidates and one parent are in custody for engaging in result falsification using AI and other electronic means.”
Benjamin described the act as a serious criminal offence and warned that the board would ensure all those involved face the full weight of the law.
The Board image maker also cautioned candidates against tampering with result messages sent through JAMB’s official SMS platforms, 55019 and 66019.
It urged candidates to adhere strictly to official channels and maintain integrity throughout the examination process, as it continues efforts to ensure a credible and transparent admissions system in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, candidates who took the examination on Thursday have been advised to check their scores by sending UTMERESULT via SMS to 55019 or 66019 using the phone number linked to their registration.
According to the Board, additional batches of results will be released progressively as marking and processing continue.
It stated that at this stage, only result viewing is available, as printing of result slips is yet to be enabled.
While also warning against any attempts to manipulate or falsify results, the Board said candidates should shun the temptation to alter SMS messages received from its official platforms to misrepresent their scores to others, including parents and guardians.
