JAMB Arrests Two Candidates, Parent Over AI-Based UTME Result Manipulation

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed the arrest of two candidates and a parent for falsifying results from the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) using artificial intelligence and other digital tools.

The arrests were disclosed on Friday alongside the release of results for 632,788 candidates who sat for the examination on Thursday, April 16.

According to JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, the suspects manipulated official SMS result notifications to alter scores, with the aim of misleading parents and guardians.

“Currently, two candidates and one parent are in custody for engaging in result falsification using AI and other electronic means,” the statement said.

Benjamin described the act as a criminal offence and stated that those involved would face prosecution.

He also warned candidates against tampering with messages sent through JAMB’s official SMS channels, 55019 and 66019.

Candidates who participated in the April 16 examination can check their results by sending “UTMERESULT” via SMS to either of the official numbers, using the phone number linked to their registration. JAMB said official result slips will be available later.

The 2026 UTME began on April 16 and will run until April 22 at centres nationwide, with results being released in phases.