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JUST IN: JAMB Explains Delay in Printing of 2026 UTME Result Slips

NLTC Team · 19 May 2026 · 7 min read

JAMB has officially explained why 2026 UTME result slip printing has not yet commenced despite an earlier announcement that it would begin on May 18. Here is exactly what the board said and what candidates should do now.

Breaking — Tuesday, May 19, 2026

If you visited a CBT centre yesterday to print your 2026 JAMB UTME result slip and were turned back, you are not alone — and the problem is not with your result. JAMB has now officially explained why the result slip printing portal has not yet been activated, despite an earlier announcement that printing would commence on Monday, May 18, 2026. Here is the full update, straight from the board.

What JAMB Said — The Official Statement

In a statement issued on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, by JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, the board confirmed that the printing of original 2026 UTME result slips has not yet been activated and urged all candidates to remain patient.

"The printing of the 2026 UTME Original Result Slip has not yet been activated. Candidates are kindly urged to be patient as the Board has just concluded the foreign examinations and is also preparing to conduct the mop-up examination for candidates who were unable to sit for the main examination through no fault of theirs."

The board also assured candidates that the delay is not related to any technical failure or withholding of results, and that the portal will be activated as soon as all pending processes are completed.

"As soon as the necessary adjustments are concluded, the printing portal will be activated. This will be done shortly, and candidates will be duly informed when to proceed with the printing of their result slips."

JAMB apologised for the delay and appealed for the understanding of candidates and stakeholders affected by the development.

Why Is There a Delay? The Two Reasons JAMB Gave

JAMB gave two specific reasons for the delay in activating the result slip printing portal:

1. The Conclusion of Foreign Examinations

The 2026 UTME was not only written inside Nigeria. JAMB conducts the examination for Nigerian candidates based in other countries, and the board confirmed that it has only just concluded these foreign-based examinations. The scores of these candidates need to be processed and incorporated into the overall result compilation before the final result slips — which contain each candidate's national ranking — can be released.

2. The Upcoming Mop-Up Examination

A significant number of candidates were unable to sit for the 2026 UTME during the main examination window of April 16 to April 25, through no fault of their own. These candidates — who may have been affected by technical failures at CBT centres, power outages, or other circumstances beyond their control — are still being scheduled for a mop-up examination. JAMB has made clear that the result slip is a ranking document, meaning it cannot be finalised until every candidate's score has been captured and all rankings computed.

"Candidates are reminded that the UTME is a ranking examination, and the Original Result Slip contains the ranking of candidates. Consequently, all necessary processes must be completed before the slips can be released."

In plain terms: because your result slip shows not just your score but your position relative to every other candidate in Nigeria, JAMB cannot release any result slips until every single candidate — including those writing the mop-up — has been examined and their results processed.

What This Means for Candidates

Understandably, the delay has frustrated many candidates. Across social media platforms, 2026 UTME candidates have expressed concern that they need their result slips urgently — for POST-UTME screening registration, change of institution processing, and general admission planning. These are valid concerns, and the frustration is understandable.

However, it is important to understand a few things clearly:

• Your result is not missing and has not been withheld. JAMB has confirmed this is not a technical failure. Your score exists and is intact. The delay is purely administrative — waiting for all candidates' results to be ready before the final ranked slips are released.
• You can still check your score via SMS. Send UTMERESULT to 55019 or 66019 using the phone number you registered with JAMB. This will confirm your score while you wait for the official printed slip.
• Most POST-UTME portals have not yet closed. Schools are only just beginning to open their POST-UTME registration windows. The result slip printing delay is unlikely to affect your ability to register for POST-UTME at most institutions, as schools are aware that JAMB has not yet activated the printing portal.
• The change of institution portal remains open. While the result slip printing has been delayed, JAMB's change of institution and course portal is still active. Candidates who need to change their first-choice institution or course can still visit any accredited CBT centre to do so.

What You Should Do Right Now

While you wait for JAMB to activate the result slip printing portal, here is how to use this time productively:

• Check your score via SMS if you have not already done so. Send UTMERESULT to 55019 or 66019 using your JAMB-registered number.
• Compare your score against your chosen institution's cut-off mark. If your score is below the minimum requirement for your first-choice school, begin researching alternative institutions now so you are ready to process a change of institution as soon as possible.
• Process your change of institution or course at any accredited CBT centre if you need to make that change. Do not wait for the result slip before doing this — the two processes are independent.
• Upload your O'Level results on JAMB CAPS if you have not already done so. This is a mandatory step for admission processing and does not require your result slip to be done.
• Monitor your chosen institution's official website daily for POST-UTME announcements. Once your school opens their screening portal, register immediately — do not wait until you have printed your result slip, as many schools accept your JAMB registration number and SMS score confirmation during the initial registration phase.
• Begin preparing for POST-UTME now. The result slip delay does not delay POST-UTME itself. Use this window to practice past questions, drill your subject areas, and take CBT mock tests.
• Follow JAMB's official channels for updates. Monitor JAMB's official X (Twitter) handle @JAMBHQ and the official website at jamb.gov.ng for the announcement of when printing has been activated. JAMB has promised to inform candidates directly when the portal opens.

A Warning: Do Not Fall for Scams

Anytime there is a delay or confusion around JAMB processes, fraudsters exploit the anxiety of candidates and parents. Already, some unscrupulous individuals are reportedly telling candidates they can "arrange" result slip printing or "access" their slips through unofficial means — for a fee. This is a scam, full stop.

• There is currently no legitimate way to print your original 2026 UTME result slip anywhere, because JAMB has not yet activated the portal. Anyone claiming otherwise is lying.
• Do not pay anyone outside an accredited JAMB CBT centre for any JAMB-related service.
• Do not hand over your JAMB login credentials to any third party.
• When the portal is eventually activated, print only through efacility.jamb.gov.ng or at an officially accredited CBT centre.

When Will Printing Begin?

JAMB has not announced a specific new date for the activation of result slip printing. The board only stated that it will happen "shortly" once the mop-up examination and all result reconciliations are completed. Based on the board's language — "this will be done shortly" — candidates should expect an update within days, not weeks. Stay alert for an official announcement from JAMB.

As soon as JAMB activates the portal, we will publish an immediate update here on the NLTC blog. Make sure you are following our page so you do not miss it.

Conclusion

The delay in 2026 UTME result slip printing is disappointing but explainable. JAMB is completing the mop-up examination and finalising results for foreign-based candidates before releasing the ranked result slips to the general public. This is a process issue, not a crisis — and it will be resolved shortly. In the meantime, use your JAMB SMS result to check your score, process any change of institution you need, upload your O'Level results on CAPS, and begin preparing seriously for POST-UTME.

At Next Level Tutorial College (NLTC), we are monitoring all JAMB and admission updates daily and will keep publishing the latest information here as it breaks. If you have questions about your score, your next steps, or your POST-UTME preparation, reach out to us today — we are here to help.