![Hon. Festus Keyamo SAN arrives MMIA past 11:50 p.m. Feb 23 to lead oversight of Terminal 1 fire. Joined FAAN MD & team actively managing situation. Directed morning inspection Tuesday to guide restoration & confirm safety standards. Reaffirmed focus on passenger safety. Story: [link] #KeyamoMMIA #FireIncident #FAAN](https://fullcliphq.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mym-150x150.jpg "MMIA Fire: Keyamo Inspects Lagos Airport After Terminal 1 Blaze Disrupts Flights")
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the arrest of two candidates and one parent for falsifying 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results using Artificial Intelligence and other electronic tools.
The disclosure came on Friday as the board released scores for 632,788 candidates who sat the examination on Thursday, April 16. JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, in a statement, said the suspects were apprehended for manipulating official SMS result notifications to fabricate or alter scores with the intent to deceive others, including 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 read.
Benjamin warned that such conduct constituted a serious criminal offence and that the board would pursue all culpable persons to the full extent of the law. He also cautioned candidates against tampering with result messages from JAMB’s official SMS platforms, 55019 and 66019.
Candidates who sat the examination on Thursday may check their scores by sending UTMERESULT via SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the phone number linked to their 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 is expected to run until April 22 across examination centres nationwide. Results will continue to be released in batches as the exercise progresses. The arrests underscore JAMB’s determination to maintain the integrity of the examination process amid the growing use of technology for malpractice. The board has previously warned against the use of AI and other digital tools to manipulate results, emphasising that such actions undermine the credibility of the admission process and disadvantage honest candidates.
This latest incident comes at a time when concerns about examination malpractice have been rising, with technology making it easier for some to attempt to cheat the system. JAMB has been investing in more robust monitoring and verification systems to detect and prevent such irregularities.
The board’s swift action in apprehending the suspects is seen as a strong deterrent message to others who might be tempted to engage in similar practices. Officials have reiterated that anyone found guilty of result falsification will face severe legal consequences, including possible prosecution.
As the UTME continues across the country, JAMB has urged all candidates and parents to rely solely on official channels for result checks and to avoid any form of manipulation. The board has also encouraged the public to report any suspected cases of malpractice to the appropriate authorities.
The development is expected to generate further discussion on the need for stronger safeguards in national examinations, especially as technology continues to evolve and present new challenges for exam integrity.
