Juliet Ezeh
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dismissed as fake a widely circulated Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result slip allegedly showing a candidate from Cross River State scored 394 out of 400 in the 2026 examination.
The controversial result, which spread rapidly across social media platforms, was shared by an X user identified as @Onsogbu, who claimed that the candidate, Okon Winniefred Sampson, achieved near-perfect scores across four major subjects.
According to the viral post, the candidate reportedly scored 96 in Use of English, 99 in Biology, 98 in Chemistry, and 99 in Physics figures that immediately attracted attention and sparked debate online about academic excellence and examination standards.
However, JAMB has firmly discredited the document, describing it as fabricated and misleading.
JAMB reacts to viral claim
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Board’s spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, clarified that the result slip being circulated did not originate from JAMB’s official database or result-checking platform.
He stressed that the examination body does not issue printable or shareable result templates in the format being circulated online, warning that the document is entirely fake.
“A purported result slip currently being circulated, claiming that a candidate scored 394 in the 2026 UTME, is entirely fake. It is surprising that such a fabrication is being shared by otherwise well-informed Nigerians,” the statement read.
The Board expressed concern over the speed at which misinformation spreads online, particularly when it involves sensitive academic records that can influence public perception and credibility of the examination system.
‘View-only’ system cannot be manipulated
Dr Benjamin further explained that JAMB’s UTME results are strictly view-only, meaning candidates can only access their results through the official portal without the option of downloading or generating printable slips in unofficial formats.
According to him, this design is intentional and meant to prevent forgery and manipulation of examination records.
He added that the circulating document clearly bears signs of fabrication, noting that it appears to have been created using an unofficial template that does not exist within JAMB’s system.
“Firstly, the Board has clearly stated that UTME results are view-only. The circulated document appears on a fabricated result template, which on its own is sufficient indication that it is not authentic,” he said.
Registration number exposes forgery
The examination body also pointed out specific inconsistencies in the alleged result slip, particularly the registration number format, which it says does not align with its official coding system.
According to the Board, JAMB registration numbers are automatically generated and follow a structured format that cannot be manually replicated or altered by candidates or third parties.
“Secondly, the Board’s registration numbers are system-generated and do not follow the pattern seen on the fake slip. There are several other inconsistencies that, even at a glance, expose the result as fraudulent,” Dr Benjamin added.
He did not provide further technical details but emphasized that even a basic verification would reveal the document as fake.
Social media and misinformation concerns
The viral result sparked mixed reactions online, with many users initially celebrating what appeared to be an outstanding academic performance before JAMB’s clarification.
Education stakeholders have since expressed concern over the ease with which fake academic documents circulate on social media, warning that such misinformation can mislead the public and undermine trust in national examination systems.
Analysts say the incident highlights the growing challenge of digital misinformation, particularly in cases involving high-stakes examinations such as UTME, where performance often determines access to tertiary education.
JAMB urges reliance on official channels
The Board has advised members of the public to disregard the viral result and rely strictly on its official communication platforms for accurate and verified information regarding examination outcomes.
It reiterated that all UTME results remain accessible only through its designated result-checking system and cannot be legitimately reproduced in printed or graphic formats shared on social media.
“The public is strongly advised to disregard this fake result and rely only on official channels for accurate information. All results at the moment are view-only,” the statement said.
Protecting exam integrity
JAMB has in recent years intensified efforts to protect the integrity of its examination process through digital verification systems and tighter control over result dissemination.
The Board has repeatedly warned against fraudsters and online pages that attempt to manipulate or fabricate results for attention or financial gain.
Education experts say such measures are critical in maintaining public confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary admission system, which relies heavily on UTME scores.
They also caution students and parents to be vigilant and avoid sharing unverified academic claims that may later be discredited.
Broader implications
The latest incident underscores the wider challenge of fake academic content circulating online, often amplified by social media engagement before official verification is carried out.
While the claim of a 394 score generated excitement among some users, the swift rebuttal by JAMB has once again highlighted the importance of verification before sharing sensitive information.
As digital platforms continue to shape public discourse around education, authorities say the responsibility now lies with both institutions and users to ensure accuracy and prevent the spread of misleading content.
For now, JAMB maintains that the viral UTME result is completely false and urges Nigerians to treat it as such.