JAMB dismisses refund demands as candidates incur charges checking delayed results

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has rejected calls for refunds from candidates who spent money trying to check the results of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination before they were officially released.

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The issue followed a delay in the release of results for candidates who sat the examination on Friday, April 17. On Saturday, JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin had written on X: “Follow me for prompt updates as soon as the results are officially released.”

He later apologised after the board failed to meet the earlier timeline, saying: “Our Chief Executive was unavailable due to an important engagement but would be in the office today, and we assure you that the results will be released later today, surely before nightfall.”

He added: “We also extend our heartfelt apologies to those who stayed up waiting for the release. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

Despite that assurance, some candidates said they made repeated attempts to check their results and were charged in the process. But when contacted, Benjamin dismissed demands for refunds and insisted the board had not announced any release at the time.

“Result is a very sensitive matter. It’s not something he can delegate. But he is back now. We are going to release the result soon,” he said. He also said: “Why would you say they deduct money for something that has not been released? When we release results, we will tell Nigerians. So what refunds are you talking about? If they check, how is that supposed to be our business?”

Benjamin explained that Ishaq Oloyede had been in Lagos for an official engagement but had since returned to Abuja, assuring candidates again that the delayed results would be released soon. Later on Sunday evening, he repeated on X that the results for the Friday examination would be made public within hours.