The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the results of candidates who sat for the first day of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), in what has been described as one of the fastest result releases in recent years.

According to JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, the results for the 632,788 candidates who took the examination on  Thursday, April 16, 2026, are now available for viewing. The board had earlier announced on April 17 that the Day One results would be released before midnight on Friday.

The 2026 UTME commenced on April 16 and is scheduled to run until April 25 across various Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide.

How to Check 2026 UTME Results

Candidates who participated on Day One can check their scores by sending “UTMERESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the same phone number registered during the UTME application process. At this stage, only scores are available; printing of official result slips is not yet activated.

JAMB has warned candidates and the public against any form of score manipulation or reliance on unofficial sources, emphasizing that results are only accessible through official channels.

Context and Ongoing Examination

The swift release of Day One results follows JAMB’s commitment to timely processing in the computer-based examination. Subsequent days’ results are expected to follow a similar pattern, typically within 24–48 hours after each examination session.

The board has also noted ongoing investigations into a small number of irregularities, with some candidates already under probe. Parents and candidates are advised to remain vigilant against fraudsters who may attempt to exploit the result-checking period.

Candidates who sat for the UTME on later dates should monitor JAMB’s official website (jamb.gov.ng) and verified communication channels for updates on their specific result release timelines.

This development comes amid the high-stakes nature of the UTME, which serves as the primary gateway for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions. Successful candidates will proceed to the next stages of the admission process, including potential post-UTME screenings by individual universities.

For the latest official updates, candidates are encouraged to visit JAMB’s website or follow the board’s verified social media handle.