The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has arrested two candidates and one parent over alleged manipulation of 2026 UTME result notifications using artificial intelligence tools and other electronic methods.
According to JAMB, the suspects were involved in altering official SMS result messages sent to candidates through the board’s designated result-checking channels. The manipulation was reportedly intended to inflate or fabricate scores to mislead parents and guardians.
JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, said the suspects are currently in custody and are being investigated for result falsification. He explained that the actions involved using AI-assisted tools and digital editing techniques to tamper with official result notifications.
The board stressed that the incident represents a serious breach of examination laws and warned that those involved in such activities would face prosecution. It also noted that result verification must only be done through official platforms using approved shortcodes, cautioning candidates and parents against relying on third-party or modified messages.
The arrests come shortly after JAMB released the first batch of results for the 2026 UTME, covering hundreds of thousands of candidates nationwide. The board has reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the examination process and strengthening its systems against emerging forms of digital and AI-enabled malpractice.
Senior Reporter/Editor
Bio: Ugochukwu is a freelance journalist and Editor at AIbase.ng, with a strong professional focus on investigative reporting. He holds a degree in Mass Communication and brings extensive experience in news gathering, reporting, and editorial writing. With over a decade of active engagement across diverse news outlets, he contributes in-depth analytical, practical, and expository articles exploring artificial intelligence and its real-world impact. His seasoned newsroom experience and well-established information networks provide AIbase.ng with credible, timely, and high-quality coverage of emerging AI developments.