JAMB Issues Formal Apology Over UTME Results Delay, Confirms Sunday Release
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a formal apology to candidates for the unexpected delay in releasing the latest batch of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results. The board has assured all affected candidates that the scores will be published later on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Unanticipated Setback Causes Frustration Among Candidates
JAMB had previously announced that results for candidates who sat the crucial examination on Friday, April 17, 2026, would be released the following day. However, this delay has caused significant frustration and anxiety among thousands of candidates who have been eagerly awaiting their results to determine their academic futures.
In an official statement released to address the situation, JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin provided a detailed explanation for the postponement. He clarified that the setback occurred primarily due to the temporary absence of the board's chief executive, who was attending an important official engagement that required his immediate attention.
Resolution Confirmed and Release Timeline Provided
Benjamin confirmed that the administrative issue has now been completely resolved and provided concrete assurance that all pending results would be released before the end of the day. The official statement read: "We sincerely apologise for the delay in releasing the UTME results. We understand the anxiety this has caused candidates and their families. We assure you that the results will be released later today, surely before nightfall."
The board extended additional apologies specifically to candidates who stayed up late expecting the results release, while simultaneously thanking them for their continued patience and understanding during this unexpected delay.
Examination Progress and Previous Results Release
This delayed batch follows the successful earlier release of results for candidates who completed their examination on Thursday, April 16. JAMB has already made available more than 600,000 results from previous examination days, demonstrating the board's ongoing processing capabilities despite this temporary setback.
Candidates can check their results through multiple accessible channels. The primary method involves sending an SMS with the text "UTMERESULT" to either 55019 or 66019 using the phone number that was registered during their initial application process.
Registrar Provides Positive Examination Update
Meanwhile, JAMB Registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede provided encouraging updates about the overall examination process during his monitoring visit to various centers in Ibadan. He reported that the nationwide examination has recorded minimal issues, with only a small number of the nearly 1,000 centers experiencing minor technical or power-related challenges that were quickly resolved.
Oloyede revealed that over 1.7 million candidates have successfully completed the examination within just three days, describing the overall process as remarkably smooth and efficient. He specifically commended examination stakeholders, including center administrators, supervisors, and security personnel, for their exceptional support and cooperation throughout the testing period.
The registrar emphasized that despite this temporary results delay, the examination administration has maintained high standards of integrity and operational effectiveness across all participating centers nationwide.
