Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Apologises Over Result Delay, Cracks Down on Score Fakers

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a public apology to candidates following delays in the release of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, sparking concern among thousands of students nationwide.

In a statement released on Sunday, JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin explained that the delay in releasing the second batch of results was due to the unavailability of the board’s chief executive, who was engaged in official duties. He assured candidates that the results would be made available shortly after the unexpected setback.

The board acknowledged the anxiety caused by missing its earlier deadline and appealed for understanding, noting that over 600,000 results from the first batch had already been successfully released.

However, beyond the delay, JAMB raised fresh alarm over attempts to manipulate examination scores. The board disclosed that several individuals have been arrested in connection with the falsification of UTME results using advanced digital methods, including artificial intelligence tools.

JAMB warned that any candidate found guilty of altering or forging results would face severe legal consequences, emphasizing its zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice.

Candidates have been advised to check their results via SMS by sending “UTMERESULT” to 55019 or 66019 using the phone number linked to their registration.

The board reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and integrity, assuring the public that the remaining results would be released in batches as processing continues.

From Abuja, Nigeria