JAMB Arrests Two Candidates and Parent for AI-Forged UTME Results

AI Enters the Exam Hall

JAMB has arrested two candidates and a parent for forging 2026 UTME results using Artificial Intelligence and other electronic tools, marking what appears to be the first confirmed case of AI-powered exam result manipulation in Nigeria.

The board disclosed the arrests while announcing the release of results for 632,788 candidates who sat the examination on Thursday, April 16. JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin said the suspects manipulated official SMS result notifications to fabricate or alter scores with the intent to deceive parents and guardians.

How They Did It

According to JAMB, the arrested individuals tampered with the SMS messages that candidates receive from the board’s official platforms, 55019 and 66019. By the time the altered messages reached their targets, the scores had been changed to show higher marks than what the candidates actually earned.

“Currently, two candidates and one parent are in custody for engaging in result falsification using AI and other electronic means,” the board’s statement read. “Any candidate found culpable will face the full consequences of the law.”

How to Check Your Real Results

JAMB has urged candidates to check their scores only through official channels: send UTMERESULT via SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the same phone number used during registration. Printing of official result slips is not yet available and will be enabled at a later date.

The 2026 UTME began on April 16 and runs through April 22, with results released in batches as the exercise continues. Nearly 2.2 million candidates registered for this year’s exam across 966 accredited centres nationwide.

Sources: Daily Trust, NaijaNews