JAMB Disowns Fake SMS on 2025 UTME Resit: What Every Candidate Must Know
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In a recent development that has sparked widespread confusion among candidates and parents, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a strong warning to the public regarding fraudulent messages circulating online and via SMS. These messages, which claim to be from JAMB’s official shortcode 66019, falsely instruct candidates of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to reprint their examination slips in preparation for another resit examination.
However, in a statement that seeks to restore calm and clarify the situation, JAMB has officially disowned these messages, describing them as spoofed communications—deliberately falsified to look like they originated from the board’s verified messaging system.
Let’s break down exactly what this means, why it matters to students, and what you should do if you or someone you know received such a message.
What Happened: The Fake Resit Notification
Over the past week, many 2025 UTME candidates reported receiving SMS messages from what appeared to be JAMB’s shortcode 66019. These messages claimed that students needed to reprint their exam slips to participate in another round of resit examinations.
The confusion spread rapidly across social media platforms and student forums, with many worried about missing out on critical exams or misinterpreting their UTME status. In a country where access to accurate educational information is vital, such misinformation can cause unnecessary panic and lead students to take the wrong steps.
JAMB's Response: These Messages Are Fraudulent
Reacting promptly to the situation, JAMB issued an official public statement through its Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, distancing itself entirely from the misleading messages.
“The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board wishes to draw the public’s attention to misleading messages being circulated through a spoofed version of its 66019 shortcode,” the statement read.
In clear terms, JAMB categorically stated that it did not send any such directive and urged candidates and the general public to ignore these fake resit alerts.
“These messages instruct candidates—some of whom have already taken the resit examination and received their results—to reprint their examination slips for another resit.
“We categorically state that these messages are not from JAMB. There are currently no scheduled examinations. Candidates who have completed the resit and received their results should disregard such fraudulent messages, which are intended to create confusion.”
This clarification is crucial because the integrity of UTME communications depends heavily on trust. When that trust is eroded by false messages, it affects not only individual candidates but the credibility of the entire exam process.
Understanding How the Scam Works
The fraudulent SMS messages appear to come from JAMB’s official 66019 shortcode. However, JAMB confirmed that the code was “spoofed”—a term that refers to the act of faking or manipulating a communication to make it seem as though it's coming from a trusted source.
This kind of digital deception is common in phishing scams, where criminals trick people into clicking malicious links or following false instructions. In this case, the motive behind the fake JAMB messages may be to collect personal information from unsuspecting candidates or simply to create chaos and misinformation.
It is also possible that cybercriminals are preparing a larger scam, perhaps involving the sale of fake exam slips or impersonation services. Either way, JAMB’s quick response has likely prevented many from falling victim.
Which JAMB Exams Are Still Scheduled in 2025?
JAMB has also provided clarity on the current status of all remaining examinations under its purview for the 2025 UTME cycle.
“We categorically state that these messages are not from JAMB. There are currently no scheduled examinations,” Dr. Benjamin emphasized.
According to the board, the only official examination that has not yet been conducted is the Foreign UTME, which is scheduled to take place in nine international locations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This exam is meant for Nigerian students residing abroad who registered through official JAMB channels.
In addition to the foreign UTME, JAMB will organize a mop-up examination for candidates who:
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Missed the main or resit exams due to genuine issues
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Were granted waivers after failing biometric verification
“We urge the public to disregard these deceptive messages. Eligible candidates for the mop-up exam will be officially notified once arrangements are finalized,” the statement concluded.
This means only officially recognized candidates—who qualify due to technical or verified issues—will be contacted directly by JAMB for the mop-up exam. There is no general resit scheduled beyond this.
What You Should Do if You Received a Fake Message
If you are one of the many 2025 UTME candidates who received the spoofed message, here are the steps you should take immediately:
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Do Not Click Any Links or Follow Any Instructions in the message.
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Do Not Reprint Your Slip unless you are officially directed to do so through the JAMB portal.
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Report the Message to JAMB or your school’s examination officer.
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Warn Others—especially your classmates or fellow candidates—so they don’t fall for the same scam.
Always verify any information by visiting the official JAMB website at www.jamb.gov.ng or contacting the JAMB support lines.
How to Verify Authentic JAMB Communication
To avoid being misled in the future, candidates and parents are encouraged to rely only on the following official JAMB channels:
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JAMB Portal: www.jamb.gov.ng
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Official SMS Codes: Messages from JAMB usually originate from 55019 and 66019, but these can be spoofed, so always cross-check.
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Social Media Handles: @JAMBHQ on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram
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Accredited CBT Centers and Educational Institutions
Never trust WhatsApp broadcasts, unofficial blogs, or random SMS messages that don’t lead back to verified sources.
Why This Matters: Protecting the Future of Nigerian Students
This situation highlights a growing concern in Nigeria’s education sector: the rise of digital misinformation targeting students. Whether it’s false admission lists, fake scholarships, or now—fraudulent exam instructions—students are being bombarded with misleading content that threatens their academic journey.
By quickly responding to the false UTME resit message, JAMB has not only protected thousands of candidates from unnecessary panic but also reinforced the importance of media literacy and digital awareness in today’s educational landscape.
Candidates are advised to remain vigilant and to always verify before taking action based on any information they receive.
Conclusion: Stay Calm, Stay Informed, and Stay Secure
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has made it clear: there is no general resit exam scheduled for 2025 UTME candidates, and any message claiming otherwise is fake. If you have completed your exam and received your result, you do not need to reprint any slip or prepare for another test—unless you are officially contacted by JAMB.
At NaijaRush, we are committed to helping students and parents navigate the Nigerian educational system with clarity, accuracy, and confidence. We will continue to provide verified updates on UTME, JAMB resits, WAEC, NECO, and other major education news.
Stay connected, stay informed—and don’t fall for fake news.
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