With the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) now in full swing, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released official guidelines to help candidates access their performance data. As no fewer than 2.2 million admission seekers are expected to participate in this year's exercise, the board has implemented a phased release system to manage the flow of information.

2026 UTME Result Updates

According to JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, the results for candidates who kicked off the examination on Thursday have been officially released. Candidates who sat for the exam on subsequent days, including Friday, April 17, can expect their scores to follow a similar release schedule as the board processes the massive amount of data generated by the computer-based tests.

How to Check Your Results via SMS

To simplify the process and minimize reliance on external internet portals, JAMB has emphasized the use of its SMS-based service. Candidates are advised to follow these specific steps to retrieve their 2026 UTME scores:

    •    Message Format: Open your mobile messaging application and type “UTME RESULT” or “UTMERESULT” in clear capital letters.

    •    Designated Shortcodes: Send the composed message to either 55019 or 66019.

    •    Verification of Phone Number: The SMS must be sent from the exact phone number used during the initial UTME registration process. Using any other number will prevent the system from recognizing the request.

    •    Service Charge: Ensure your mobile line is credited with a minimum of N50 airtime to cover the transaction cost.

Candidates are urged to remain patient as the results drop in batches and to rely only on these official channels to avoid misinformation or fraudulent platforms.