JAMB Delivers Fastest-Ever UTME Result Release
Over 632,000 candidates who sat for the opening day of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination received their scores hours after leaving the test hall, in what examination observers are describing as the fastest result turnaround in the board’s history.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board announced late Friday that results for candidates who took the computer-based test on Thursday, April 16, are now available for viewing. JAMB spokesperson Dr. Fabian Benjamin confirmed the development via the board’s official communication channels, stating that candidates may check their scores by sending the word “UTMERESULT” via SMS to either 55019 or 66019, using the telephone number provided during registration.
“At this stage, candidates may view their results only; printing is not yet available,” Benjamin said, adding that the slip-printing function would be enabled at a later date.
The 2026 UTME commenced nationwide on April 16 and is scheduled to run through April 22 across accredited centres. According to JAMB, the initial batch of 632,788 results represents only the first-day cohort, with additional releases expected as the examination progresses.
Alongside the result announcement, the board issued a stern warning against the falsification or manipulation of scores. Benjamin disclosed that two candidates and one parent have already been arrested for allegedly fabricating UTME results using artificial intelligence tools and other electronic means. He emphasised that tampering with official result notifications constitutes a criminal offence and that those found culpable will be prosecuted.
“Any candidate found guilty of examination malpractice or score manipulation will face the full weight of the law,” Benjamin said.
The board’s swift action on result publication comes amid broader security concerns surrounding this year’s exercise. In a separate but related development, JAMB management confirmed the arrest of a bus driver in Benue State in connection with the kidnapping of candidates travelling to an examination centre. The board has not released further details on the incident but described the arrest as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard the integrity of the examination process.
The UTME remains Nigeria’s primary gateway to tertiary education, with over 1.9 million candidates registered for the 2026 edition. JAMB Registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede had earlier stated that the board recorded minimal technical hitches during the first day of the examination.