The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) has launched a new online service allowing candidates for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to verify and upload their O’Level results without needing to visit a Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre. This initiative, initially focusing on results from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), is set to significantly ease the admission process for thousands of Nigerian students.

Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB's Acting Director of Public Affairs and Protocol, announced on Monday that the new system is designed to reduce candidates' reliance on crowded CBT centres, especially during peak admission periods. The system works by electronically verifying candidates' results directly with examination bodies before they are uploaded to their JAMB profiles. This direct link aims to enhance the ease, speed, and safety of the process, while also minimising errors that often come with manual uploads.

According to JAMB, the digital verification system is also a critical step in preventing the use of fraudulent or unverified results. It tackles issues like lost certificates and mistakes made when candidates manually input their subject grades. The board stated that this move is part of its ongoing digital transformation efforts to make essential admission-related tasks accessible remotely.

To use the new service, candidates first need to obtain a Result Verification Code. This involves accessing the designated result verification portal and providing their National Identification Number (NIN). They will then select the number of O’Level sittings they have, specify the examination body (like WAEC), and enter their email address and phone number. After making the required payment through the online gateway, candidates must input their examination number, series, and year. Upon successful verification, JAMB will issue a unique Verification Code.

Once the Verification Code is received, candidates are instructed to send the word "VERIFY" followed by the code to either 55019 or 66019 via SMS. JAMB will then send a confirmation message indicating that the verification is complete and the result has been submitted. This direct feedback loop ensures candidates are aware of the status of their submission.

For candidates who have results from two different O’Level sittings, the process continues on the JAMB e-Facility dashboard. After logging in, they will select "2026 UTME O’Level Upload." Here, they will enter their Verification Code, and both of their verified results will be displayed. Candidates can then choose the necessary subjects and grades, ensuring they select a minimum of five and a maximum of nine subjects, with no subject appearing more than once. Clicking "Apply the O’Level Results" finalises the upload, and a notification will confirm its success.

This innovation is particularly expected to shine when CBT centres are overwhelmed with candidates, experiencing long queues, or facing network challenges. It offers a reliable alternative, ensuring that vital admission processes aren't stalled by logistical hurdles.