The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has entered the final phase of processing the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results. As of today, Thursday, April 30, 2026, the board has released the vast majority of results, but a significant “clearing house” process is still underway.
Out of the approximately 2.24 million candidates who registered, over 1.89 million results have already been made public. However, about 100,000 to 200,000 results are currently categorized under “audit” or “investigation.”
The “Technical Infractions” Explained
JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede has clarified that a withheld result does not automatically imply guilt. The “audit” phase covers several technical and security categories:
- CCTV Review: JAMB is manually reviewing footage from Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres where “systemic anomalies” were flagged.
- Biometric Mismatches: Candidates whose fingerprints or facial recognition data showed inconsistencies during the exam are being cross-referenced with their registration data.
- Underage Flags: Results for candidates who will not be 16 years old by September 30, 2026, are being held for further screening, though JAMB has noted that exceptionally high scorers in this category (320+) may receive special consideration.
- Incomplete Data Uploads: In some remote centres, network glitches prevented the full transmission of exam logs. These are being recovered and verified batch by batch.
How to Check (The Only Valid Method)
JAMB has emphasized that the online portal for result printing is NOT yet active. Candidates must use the SMS method to avoid falling for “result upgrading” scams:
- The Command: Send UTMERESULT as an SMS to 55019 or 66019.
- The Requirement: You must use the same phone number you used for registration and have at least ₦50 airtime.
- The Response: You will either receive your score or a status message such as “Result Withheld,” “Result Under Investigation,” or “No Result Yet.”
Next Steps: Beyond the Score
With the bulk of the results out, the focus is shifting to the 2026/2027 Admission Cycle:
- Direct Entry (DE): Remember that DE registration has been extended to May 8, 2026.
- Change of Course/Institution: The portal for corrections is expected to open shortly after the final batch of audited results is released.
- Post-UTME Readiness: Most universities are expected to announce their cut-off marks and screening dates by late May.
