The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced the arrest of two candidates and a parent for allegedly falsifying results from the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) using artificial intelligence and other electronic tools.
The development was disclosed on Friday as the board released the results of 632,788 candidates who sat for the examination on Thursday, April 16.
According to JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, the suspects were apprehended for manipulating official SMS result notifications in an attempt to fabricate or alter scores, thereby misleading parents, guardians, and the general public.
“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 serious criminal offence and stressed that the board would ensure that all individuals involved are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He further warned candidates against tampering with result messages issued through JAMB’s official SMS platforms, 55019 and 66019, noting that such actions undermine the credibility of the examination process.
The board advised candidates who participated in the April 16 examination to check their results by sending “UTMERESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019 using the phone number linked to their registration.
The incident highlights growing concerns over the misuse of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence in academic fraud, as authorities intensify efforts to safeguard the integrity of national examinations.
What you should know
JAMB’s arrest of candidates and a parent over AI-assisted result falsification underscores the increasing role of technology in examination malpractice.
While artificial intelligence offers many benefits, its misuse in altering official records raises serious ethical and legal concerns. The board’s action signals a stricter stance against digital fraud and reinforces the importance of maintaining the credibility of Nigeria’s examination system.
Candidates are advised to rely only on official channels for checking results, as any attempt to manipulate or forge scores could lead to arrest, prosecution, and long-term consequences on their academic and professional future.
