As preparations for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) intensify, many candidates are facing issues while trying to generate their JAMB profile codes. A common challenge occurs when candidates receive a notification stating that their National Identification Number (NIN) is already linked to another phone number.
Imagine you are John, who used his mom’s phone number to generate his JAMB profile code last year. Now, as he prepares for the 2025 UTME, he decides to use his own phone number. However, upon sending his National Identification Number (NIN) to 55019 or 66019, he receives an error message stating that his NIN is already linked to another phone number—his mom’s.
Frustrated and confused, David wondered what went wrong. He had no idea that JAMB permanently links a NIN to a single profile code, meaning his previous profile code (generated with his mother’s number) was still valid.
What This Means for Candidates
Many students who previously registered for JAMB using a different SIM card—perhaps a parent’s or a now-inaccessible number—are running into similar problems.
According to responses from other candidates and JAMB officials, once a NIN is linked to a JAMB profile code, that code remains valid indefinitely. There is no need to generate a new one.
What to Do If You Forget Your Old Profile Code
If you’re in a situation like David’s and don’t remember your previous profile code, follow these steps:
- Send “RESEND” to 55019 or 66019 using the phone number previously linked to your NIN. This will retrieve your existing profile code.
- If you no longer have access to that phone number, visit an accredited JAMB CBT center or contact your network service provider to recover your old SIM card.
JAMB’s Official Guidelines
JAMB has repeatedly emphasized that candidates do not need to generate a new profile code if they already have one. Instead, they should:
- Ensure that their NIN details are correct and linked to an accessible phone number.
- Retrieve their old profile code instead of attempting to create a new one.
For candidates who have lost access to their original phone numbers, JAMB recommends visiting an accredited CBT center for assistance.
Final Advice for 2025 UTME Candidates
As the JAMB registration deadline approaches, candidates are advised to:
- Start the registration process early to resolve any NIN or profile code issues ahead of time.
- Follow official JAMB announcements and guidelines to avoid misinformation or fraud.
- Seek help from JAMB’s official support channels if they encounter persistent issues.
By understanding how JAMB links NIN to profile codes, candidates like David can avoid unnecessary stress and complete their registration smoothly.
