The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has released 279 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, results that were earlier withheld over suspected examination malpractice.
The board said the affected results were released after a detailed review showed that there was no sufficient evidence linking some candidates to wrongdoing during the examination.
JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed the development on Thursday through a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
According to him, the newly released results are in addition to those earlier published by the examination body after the conclusion of the 2026 UTME.
Benjamin explained that the board carried out a careful investigation into cases flagged by its monitoring systems and reports received from various examination centres across the country.
He said some results were eventually cleared and released because investigators could not establish a prima facie case of malpractice against the affected candidates.
“While some results have been outrightly cancelled where evidence of malpractice was established, others have been released where the Board found no prima facie case against the affected candidates,” he stated.
The JAMB spokesman, however, noted that some results are still being withheld because investigations are ongoing.
According to him, results from centres where suspicious activities were detected by JAMB’s live monitoring teams or where the board received negative reports remain under review.
“Results from centres where the Board’s live monitoring team observed suspicious activities, or where adverse reports were received, remain withheld pending further investigation. Where sufficient evidence of culpability is established, such results will be cancelled,” he added.
The board advised candidates who are yet to access their results to check their status by sending “UTMERESULT” to 55019 or 66019 using the same phone number used during registration.
The 2026 UTME was conducted between April 16 and April 25 at accredited computer-based test centres across Nigeria.
Millions of candidates sat for the examination, which serves as the main entrance examination into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in the country.
The UTME remains one of the most important examinations in Nigeria because admission into tertiary institutions depends largely on candidates’ performance in the test.
Every year, JAMB faces the challenge of ensuring credible examinations amid increasing concerns over examination malpractice, impersonation and technological fraud.
Over the years, the board has introduced several reforms aimed at reducing cheating and improving the credibility of the examination process.
These measures include the use of biometric verification, computer-based testing, CCTV monitoring and live supervision of examination centres.
JAMB has also strengthened its collaboration with security agencies and anti-corruption bodies to detect and punish examination fraud.
Despite these efforts, cases of malpractice and technical irregularities still occur during some examinations, leading to investigations and temporary withholding of certain results.
The board usually places suspicious results under review whenever reports of impersonation, multiple registrations, illegal devices or centre misconduct are received.
The withholding of results often creates anxiety among candidates and parents, especially because university admission processes depend heavily on the timely release of scores.
In previous years, JAMB has withheld thousands of results over suspected malpractice before later releasing some after investigations.
The board has maintained that it would continue to apply strict measures against examination fraud in order to preserve public confidence in the admission system.
Some candidates have been caught using hidden communication devices, impersonators and other illegal means during UTME examinations.
Authorities have also identified some computer-based test centres involved in suspicious practices, including attempts to manipulate examination processes.
As a result, JAMB has occasionally sanctioned centres found guilty of violating examination guidelines.
The release of the 279 results is likely to bring relief to affected candidates who had been waiting anxiously for updates from the board.
For many students, UTME results determine not only admission opportunities but also scholarship chances and future academic plans.
Competition for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions remains very high because available spaces in universities are far below the number of applicants every year.
This has increased pressure on candidates to perform well in the examination.
They also argue that while strict monitoring is important, investigations must be thorough and fair to avoid punishing innocent candidates.
The board’s latest action suggests that JAMB is trying to balance strict enforcement against malpractice with fairness to candidates wrongly suspected during investigations.
Parents and education stakeholders are now expected to continue monitoring the outcome of ongoing investigations involving other withheld results.
JAMB has assured candidates that all cases still under review will be properly investigated and that decisions will be based on available evidence.
The board also encouraged candidates to continue using official channels to check their results and avoid fraudsters who may attempt to exploit anxious students.
As the admission process for the 2026 academic session gradually begins, many candidates are expected to rely on their UTME scores to secure placement into their preferred institutions across the country.