JAMB rejects refund requests for delayed UTME results and apologizes to candidates

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Commission has rejected refund requests from candidates who incurred charges while trying to verify the results of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, insisting that no official release had been announced at the time.

Commission spokesman Fabian Benjamin said on Sunday that candidates who made multiple attempts to access their results did so prematurely, stressing that the exam body could not be held responsible for such actions.

Benjamin’s clarification followed widespread complaints from candidates who said they were repeatedly charged as they tried to check their results after an earlier assurance that results would be released before midnight on Saturday.

He initially revealed via his X account (formerly Twitter) that the results of the exam carried out on Friday 17 April would be made public before midnight.

However, the board failed to meet the deadline, sparking frustration among candidates nationwide.

In a later statement, the JAMB spokesperson apologized for the delay, attributing it to the unavailability of the chancellor, Ishaq Oloyede, who he said was attending an official engagement in Lagos.

“Our CEO was unavailable due to an important commitment, but would be in the office today. Please be assured that the results will be released later today, certainly before sunset,” Benjamin said.

He added: “We also extend our deepest apologies to those who remained awake awaiting release. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

Despite the apology, some candidates expressed anger at the repeated deductions they suffered when trying to verify their results, fueling demands for refunds.

But Benjamin rejected the requests, arguing that the board had not instructed the candidates to verify the results at the time.

“Why do you say they deduct money for something that has not been released? When we release the results, we will tell Nigerians. So what refunds are you talking about?” he asked.

He further stressed that the release of UTME results is a sensitive process that cannot be delegated, stressing that the registrar is back in Abuja and the results would be released shortly.

On Sunday evening, the board reiterated that results would be available within hours, urging candidates to remain patient.

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