JAMB Releases Mop-Up UTME Results and Announces Crackdown on Admission Fraud
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the results of its mop-up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which took place on June 28. This development comes alongside significant updates regarding the ongoing investigation into a major syndicate involved in the issuance of fake admission letters.
Mop-Up UTME Results Released for Thousands of Candidates
In a recent statement, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, Head of Public Affairs and Protocol at JAMB, confirmed that the results for 11,161 candidates who participated in the mop-up examination have been made available. These candidates were part of the original 96,838 who had registered for the test.
Benjamin urged all eligible candidates to check their results by sending the message “UTMERESULT” (as one word) to either 55019 or 66019 using the same phone number they used during registration. He emphasized that non-compliance with this procedure is the primary reason some candidates are still unable to access their results.
Major Development: Arrests in Fake Admission Letter Case
A major breakthrough has been made in the investigation into a syndicate that was issuing fake admission letters for a fee. In collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), JAMB has arrested five ringleaders of the syndicate. These individuals are currently facing trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the case titled Inspector General of Police vs Effa Leonard and Four Others.
According to Benjamin, the operations of this syndicate affected a staggering number of candidates. The breakdown includes:
- 6,903 candidates who have been cleared after resolving minor discrepancies.
- 10,514 candidates referred to police investigation offices across the country.
- 5,669 candidates confirmed to have procured outright fake admission letters.
- 4,832 candidates who attempted to bypass the formal condonement process through fraudulent means.
Additionally, 13 candidates were flagged for various irregularities, many dating back to 2017 when the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) was introduced.
Institutions Affected and Corrective Measures
The affected candidates are spread across several institutions, including Bayero University Kano, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Akure, Yaba College of Technology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, University of Ilorin, and others.
Following a management meeting on July 5, JAMB decided to allow the 13 newly flagged candidates to correct their records and reprint valid admission letters. These candidates will be added to the previously cleared 6,903.
Furthermore, 1,532 candidates who claimed ignorance of the syndicate’s involvement and whose institutions had already processed their condonement through the proper channels will receive formal warnings but will not face further action.
However, 3,300 candidates remain under active investigation for allegedly securing admissions through illegitimate or unprocessed means. If found guilty, these candidates could face severe penalties.
Strict Vetting and Legal Consequences
Dr. Benjamin warned that JAMB's vetting mechanisms will continue to be stringent. He reiterated that any candidate found to have engaged in or sought assistance from exam fraud syndicates will be prosecuted under the Examination Malpractices Act. This law also holds parents or guardians accountable if minors are involved.
“The Board remains committed to upholding the integrity of the admission process and ensuring that only duly qualified candidates gain access to tertiary education in Nigeria,” Benjamin concluded.
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