A JAMB profile code is the unique code a candidate needs before buying a UTME or Direct Entry e-PIN and completing registration at an accredited CBT centre. You can generate it with your 11-digit National Identification Number by sending one correctly formatted text message.
The official method is simple: type NIN, leave one space, add your 11-digit NIN and send the message to 55019 or 66019.
This guide explains the exact format, the phone-number rules, how to retrieve an old code and what to do when JAMB cannot verify your NIN.
Quick answer: From your personal and active phone number, send NIN 00123456789 to 55019 or 66019. Replace the example digits with your own 11-digit NIN. Do not type a comma, full stop or extra word.
What You Need Before Generating a JAMB Profile Code
Prepare the following:
Your correct 11-digit NIN issued by the National Identity Management Commission, or NIMC.
A personal, active Nigerian mobile number that another candidate has not used for a JAMB profile.
Enough regular airtime to send a premium short-code SMS. Do not rely only on bonus airtime.
A phone that can send and receive ordinary SMS messages.
STUDENTS GUIDE
How to Generate JAMB Profile Code With NIN
Aug 20, 2026
Aug 20, 2026
15 min read
Published
Updated:
A JAMB profile code is the unique code a candidate needs before buying a UTME or Direct Entry e-PIN and completing registration at an accredited CBT centre. You can generate it with your 11-digit National Identification Number by sending one correctly formatted text message.
The official method is simple: type NIN, leave one space, add your 11-digit NIN and send the message to 55019 or 66019.
This guide explains the exact format, the phone-number rules, how to retrieve an old code and what to do when JAMB cannot verify your NIN.
Quick answer: From your personal and active phone number, send NIN 00123456789 to 55019 or 66019. Replace the example digits with your own 11-digit NIN. Do not type a comma, full stop or extra word.
What You Need Before Generating a JAMB Profile Code
Prepare the following:
Your correct 11-digit NIN issued by the National Identity Management Commission, or NIMC.
A personal, active Nigerian mobile number that another candidate has not used for a JAMB profile.
Enough regular airtime to send a premium short-code SMS. Do not rely only on bonus airtime.
A phone that can send and receive ordinary SMS messages.
Correct personal information on your NIMC record, especially your names, date of birth and gender.
JAMB treats the phone number as a candidate's unique identifier. Do not use a sibling's, friend's, agent's or cybercafe operator's number. JAMB says the same SIM remains linked to the candidate for present and future transactions.
How to Generate JAMB Profile Code With NIN by SMS
Follow these steps:
Open the Messages or SMS app on your phone.
Start a new text message.
Type NIN, leave one space and enter your 11-digit NIN.
Check that the message follows this format: NIN 00123456789.
Send it to 55019 or 66019.
Wait for a reply containing your JAMB profile code or instructions about an error that must be corrected.
Save the reply and write the code somewhere secure.
The digits above are only an example. Never copy them as your own NIN.
Correct SMS format
NIN 00123456789
Send the message to either:
55019, or
66019.
There must be exactly one normal space between NIN and the 11-digit number.
Examples of wrong formats
Do not send any of these:
NIN00123456789 — there is no space.
NIN: 00123456789 — the colon is unnecessary.
My NIN is 00123456789 — the extra words make the command invalid.
NIN 00123 456789 — the NIN has been split.
A 10-digit or 12-digit number — a valid NIN contains 11 digits.
What Happens After You Send the Message?
JAMB uses the NIN to obtain the candidate's identity details from NIMC. If the request is successful, the reply will contain the candidate's profile code.
Keep both the profile code and the SIM safe. You will need the code when buying the JAMB e-PIN and during registration at an accredited CBT centre. Important notices may also be sent to the registered phone number.
The profile code is not the same as the e-PIN:
Profile code: identifies the candidate's JAMB profile.
e-PIN: purchased through an authorised channel and used to complete UTME or Direct Entry registration.
Registration number: issued after registration has been completed successfully.
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How to Retrieve a Lost JAMB Profile Code
If you previously generated a profile code but deleted or lost the message, do not create a second identity.
Using the same phone number, send:
RESEND
to 55019 or 66019.
JAMB's official FAQ says this command retrieves a lost code. It also says candidates who generated a profile code in an earlier year can send RESEND to refresh the code for a new registration.
If the original SIM is missing, contact the mobile network and recover the number. Do not quietly switch to another person's phone number, because the original number remains connected to the JAMB profile.
JAMB Profile Code Not Received? Try These Fixes
1. Check the SMS format
The most common mistake is omitting the space after NIN or adding punctuation. Send the message again in this exact structure:
NIN 00123456789
Replace the example number with your NIN.
2. Check the NIN length
A NIN has 11 digits. Compare the number in your draft message with your official NIN slip before sending it.
3. Use regular airtime
Short-code messages may fail when the line has no usable airtime. Top up the SIM with regular airtime and retry. Network charges may apply; confirm the current deduction with your mobile operator rather than paying an agent to send the message.
4. Wait and retry after a network delay
An “Unable to Verify NIN” reply can result from a temporary connection problem between the systems. Wait and try again later. Do not send the request repeatedly within a few seconds.
5. Confirm that the phone number is unique
If JAMB says the number is already registered, the SIM may already be attached to another candidate's profile. A phone number used by a sibling or another person cannot be reused for you.
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If the number was used by you in an earlier JAMB cycle, send RESEND from that same number instead of trying to create a new profile.
6. Check the NIMC record
JAMB obtains personal details from NIMC. If the NIN is valid but the names, date of birth, gender or other details are wrong, make the correction through an official NIMC channel before continuing.
Do not ask a CBT centre or unofficial agent to alter NIMC data inside JAMB. Allow time for an approved NIMC modification to reflect before retrying.
7. Restart the phone or try the other official short code
Restarting the phone can clear a temporary SMS problem. If one official short code does not respond after a reasonable wait, try the other: 55019 or 66019. Do not send your NIN to unofficial phone numbers or websites.
8. Contact official support
If the problem continues, raise a ticket through the JAMB support system or use the contact information published on the JAMB contact page. For a NIN-record problem, contact NIMC customer service or visit an authorised NIMC centre.
Common JAMB Profile-Code Messages and Their Meaning
Message or problem | Likely meaning | What to do |
Error involving 55019 or 66019 | The SMS command may be incorrectly formatted | Use NIN, one space and the 11-digit NIN |
Number already registered | The phone number is attached to an existing candidate | Retrieve your old code if it is yours; otherwise use your own unused number |
Unable to verify NIN | Temporary verification failure or a NIMC-record issue | Wait and retry; contact NIMC if it persists |
No reply | Airtime, network, SMS or shortcode problem | Check airtime and SMS service, wait, then retry |
Wrong biodata returned | The source NIMC record may be incorrect | Stop and correct the record with NIMC before registration |
Lost profile code | The original SMS has been deleted or the code forgotten | Send RESEND from the same number to 55019 or 66019 |
What to Do After Receiving Your Profile Code
Once the code arrives:
Save the SMS and copy the code into a secure note.
Review any personal details shown in the response.
Purchase the JAMB e-PIN only through an authorised vending channel.
Take the profile code and e-PIN to a JAMB-accredited CBT centre.
Complete registration in person, including the required biometric capture.
Check every displayed detail before approving the registration with your fingerprint.
Collect and keep your registration slip.
JAMB warns candidates to keep passwords, e-PINs, registration numbers and other security information private. A centre should not ask for a candidate's profile password.
Important Safety Rules
Do not post your NIN, profile code or phone number on social media.
Do not give your SIM to an agent to generate the code.
Do not use a fake JAMB or NIMC website.
Do not pay anyone who promises to “unlock” or manufacture a profile code.
Do not register twice with different details.
Do not continue if the identity details returned from NIMC are wrong.
Keep the registered SIM active because JAMB may use it for future services.
NIMC advises people to guard their NIN and submit it only to relevant authorities. JAMB also says candidates should not hand their phones to agents to create profiles or receive codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official JAMB profile-code number?
The official JAMB FAQ lists 55019 and 66019. Send the correctly formatted NIN message to either number.
What should I type to get a JAMB profile code?
Type NIN, leave one space and add your 11-digit NIN. For example: NIN 00123456789.
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Can I generate a JAMB profile code without NIN?
The standard Nigerian candidate procedure requires an 11-digit NIN. Candidates who do not have one should enrol through NIMC before trying to generate a profile code.
Can I use my parent's phone number?
Use your own active and unique number. JAMB treats the number as the candidate's permanent identifier and says it cannot be shared with a sibling or another candidate.
Can I use the same phone number I used last year?
Yes, if it is your own JAMB-linked number. JAMB says to send RESEND to 55019 or 66019 to refresh an earlier profile code for a new registration.
How do I get my profile code back?
Send RESEND from the same phone number to 55019 or 66019.
Can I change the phone number after generating the code?
The number becomes linked to the JAMB profile and should be kept. If the SIM is lost, recover it from the mobile network. Contact JAMB support for exceptional cases rather than creating conflicting records.
Why does JAMB say my phone number has already been used?
The number may be linked to another candidate or to your own previous profile. If it belongs to your old profile, use RESEND. If someone else used it, obtain a personal number that has not been used for another candidate.
Can a CBT centre generate the code for me?
The candidate should send the NIN message from their own unique phone number. After receiving the code, the candidate can take it to a JAMB-accredited CBT centre to complete registration.
Is the JAMB profile code the same as the e-PIN?
No. The profile code identifies your profile. The e-PIN is purchased afterwards and is required to complete registration.
Official Sources and Verification Note
This guide was checked against the following official sources on 20 August 2026:
JAMB Frequently Asked Questions — official SMS format, unique phone-number rule, lost-code retrieval and next steps.
JAMB official portal — candidate registration and post-registration services.
JAMB contact page — official support channels.
NIMC: About the National Identification Number — NIN length, identity purpose and security guidance.
NIMC contact page — official help for NIN-record problems.
Short-code charges and network behaviour can change. JAMB candidates should confirm any current fee with their mobile operator and rely on announcements published on official JAMB channels.
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