JAMB releases mop-up UTME results, uncovers admission scam involving over 17,000 candidates nationwide.
Fake letters, waivers, and fraud rings exposed as police prosecute key suspects in court.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the results of its mop-up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted on June 28, 2025, while simultaneously exposing a massive nationwide admission fraud involving over 17,000 candidates.
According to a statement issued by JAMB’s Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, a total of 11,161 candidates who participated in the mop-up exam can now check their results by texting “UTMERESULT” to 55019 or 66019 using the phone number they registered with.
But what should have been a routine academic update was overshadowed by revelations of a sprawling admission fraud syndicate uncovered through a joint operation with the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC). At the heart of the scandal are fake admission letters being sold to thousands of desperate candidates seeking university and polytechnic placements.
The Board disclosed that 17,417 candidates have been implicated in the racket. A breakdown of the findings includes:
- 6,903 candidates were eventually cleared after addressing minor discrepancies in their records.
- 10,514 candidates were referred to the police for deeper investigation.
- 5,669 candidates were discovered to have purchased completely fake admission letters.
- 4,832 candidates were found exploiting ministerial waivers granted for the 2017–2020 academic years.
JAMB has confirmed that five key suspects, believed to be the masterminds behind the fraudulent network, are currently on trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja in a case titled “Inspector General of Police vs. Effa Leonard and Four Others.”
Institutions affected by the scam include some of Nigeria’s most prominent tertiary schools, such as Bayero University Kano, the Federal University of Technology Akure, Yaba College of Technology, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, and the University of Ilorin.
Dr. Benjamin stated that JAMB remains resolute in protecting the credibility of the country’s tertiary admissions process. He warned that 3,300 additional candidates are still under active investigation and risk being prosecuted under the Examination Malpractices Act if found culpable.
The Board also issued a stern warning to parents and guardians, stating that they could be held responsible if found to have aided or abetted minors in perpetrating fraud.
“Only candidates who meet the proper criteria will be allowed access into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions,” the statement read. “We are committed to defending the integrity of our education system.”
As the Board continues to tighten its surveillance, stakeholders are being urged to prioritize transparency and compliance to prevent future breaches.
