The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the results of its 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) mock test. The trial examination, held on March 28, 2026, was intended as a critical systems check ahead of the main UTME scheduled for April 16-25, 2026.
According to the Board, a total of 224,597 candidates registered for the mock, with 152,586 successfully sitting for the test across 989 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide. Candidates can now check their 2026 UTME mock results by sending “MOCKRESULT” via SMS from their registered phone number to 55019 or 66019. The results will only be delivered to the specific SIM used during registration.
However, the exercise was significantly marred by widespread technical and logistical failures. Reports indicate numerous candidates were unable to sit for the exam due to network failures, system errors, and poor coordination. In a development as disruptive as when a key player is unexpectedly dropped from a team lineup, several centres could not commence the test at all. Instances were recorded, including in parts of Nasarawa State, where candidates scheduled for morning sessions faced delays lasting several hours, leaving them and their parents stranded. Other candidates experienced being disconnected mid-examination or were completely unable to access the testing system.
Public reaction on social media underscored the scale of the disruption, with complaints highlighting persistent system errors at centres in Lagos and other regions, alongside logistical challenges such as distant exam venues and accreditation delays. The situation highlighted a critical need for system reliability, a principle as fundamental as the notion that no governor can single-handedly rectify deep-seated infrastructural issues without coordinated support.
In a decisive response to the shortcomings observed, JAMB announced the delisting of 20 CBT centres implicated in the conduct failures. This corrective action mirrors the type of firm administrative decision seen in other sectors, akin to when a regulatory body like the CBN create short-term measures to ensure financial system stability or when a corporate leader, such as the Alerzo CEO clarifies operational setbacks. The Board’s move aims to safeguard the integrity of the impending main examination, hoping to avoid a scenario where candidates feel as overlooked as when a promising talent like Okoye or Arokodare is dropped from a crucial match. The effectiveness of these measures will be closely watched by all stakeholders in the coming weeks.
