EDUCATION
ABUJA — It’s a UTME shocker as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has released the first batch of 2026 UTME results but the drop comes with arrests and a stern warning on artificial intelligence fraud.
The nationwide exam kicked off on Thursday, April 16, 2026, across 966 Computer-Based Test centres. About 2.2 million candidates are expected to sit for it through April 22.
JAMB confirmed that results for 632,788 candidates who wrote the exam on April 16 are now available. Candidates can check their scores by sending “UTMERESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019 using the same phone number used during registration. Printing of results is not yet enabled.
UTME Shocker: AI Result Scam Leads To Arrests
Beyond the results, JAMB sounded a loud alarm over exam malpractice. JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, revealed that two candidates and a parent are currently in custody for attempting to falsify UTME scores using artificial intelligence and other digital tools.
He described the act as a serious criminal offence. _“Anyone caught tampering with their results will face the full weight of the law,”_ Benjamin warned.
The Board said the suspects used AI tools to generate fake high scores and circulate them online. Investigations showed deliberate attempts to bypass JAMB’s result verification system.
JAMB Warns Against SMS Tampering After UTME Shocker
JAMB also cautioned candidates against altering SMS score messages to fake higher results. The Board stressed that its result database is secured and any edited screenshot will be flagged during admission screening.
“Candidates should desist from editing SMS score messages to fake higher results. Such actions will not go unpunished,” Benjamin said.
He added that tertiary institutions have direct access to JAMB’s central result database. Any mismatch between a candidate’s claim and the official record will lead to disqualification and possible prosecution.
How Candidates Can Secure Their Results After UTME Shocker
To avoid scams and disqualification, JAMB listed steps every candidate must follow:
*Use only official channels: Check results by sending “UTMERESULT” to 55019 or 66019. Do not use cafes, agents, or websites promising “result upgrades.”
Keep your SIM safe: The phone number used for registration is tied to your result. If you lose it, retrieve it from your network provider before checking.
Do not share SMS screenshots: Editing or posting your score online exposes you to blackmail and impersonation. Schools verify directly with JAMB.
Ignore ‘upgrade’ messages: JAMB does not upgrade results. Any SMS or WhatsApp claiming they can boost your score for money is fraud.
Wait for result slip printing: JAMB will announce when printing begins. Only slips printed from JAMB’s portal are valid for admission.
Benjamin stressed: “The only authentic result is what JAMB sends to your phone and what appears on the CAPS portal. Anything else is criminal.”_
How The 2026 UTME Is Structured
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination is running from April 16 to April 22, 2026. It is structured into four daily sessions starting at 7:30 a.m. and ending at 6:00 p.m. The framework manages the large volume of candidates and reduces congestion at CBT centres.
Each centre is required to meet operational benchmarks. These include functional computer systems, stable internet connectivity, electricity, and trained personnel. Surveillance cameras are mandatory for real-time monitoring.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, earlier urged officials to demonstrate professionalism. He reiterated the board’s zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice and warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
More UTME Results Coming After First Batch Shocker
JAMB says more batches of results will be released in the coming days as processing is completed. Candidates who wrote on Thursday, April 17, and Friday, April 18, should expect their scores soon.
The Board advised candidates to monitor official JAMB channels for updates. It warned against third-party websites claiming to provide “early results” or “result upgrades,” calling them scams.
Security has been tightened across centres. Lagos CP Tijani Fatai ordered deployment to all JAMB CBT centres in the state. In Jos, JAMB shifted the UTME start time from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. due to the Plateau curfew.
Why This UTME Shocker Matters
This is the first major AI-related arrest linked to UTME result fraud. It signals JAMB’s move to clamp down on digital manipulation as candidates get more tech-savvy. Last year, over 150 centres faced sanctions for not being visible on JAMB’s central monitoring system.
The use of artificial intelligence to forge results raises new concerns for exam bodies. JAMB’s quick arrests show it is tracking digital footprints in real time.
For candidates, the message is clear. A fake 300 score will not get you into university. It might get you into a cell instead. The Board is keeping a close watch on any form of malpractice as the examination continues nationwide.
