News
SERAP wants reversal of ATM transaction fees hike, hammers CBN
…gives CBN 48hrs ultimatum
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has given the Central Bank of Nigeria a two-day ultimatum to reverse the newly announced hike in Automated Teller Machine transaction fees, calling it “unlawful, unfair, unreasonable, and unjust.”
In an open letter dated February 15, 2025, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso to immediately reverse the policy.
The organisation argued that it would worsen the financial hardship faced by Nigerians, particularly low-income earners.
Details of this letter were issued in a press release titled, “SERAP gives CBN 48 hours to withdraw ‘unlawful, unfair hike in ATM transaction,” on Sunday.
According to the CBN’s February 10, 2025 circular, ATM withdrawals made at machines outside a bank’s branch premises will now attract a N100 charge per N20,000 withdrawn, while withdrawals at shopping centres, airports, and standalone cash points will carry an additional surcharge of up to N500 per N20,000 withdrawal.
The directive takes effect March 1, 2025.
SERAP contended that the increase contradicts Section 42(1)(a) of the CBN Act 2007, which mandates the apex bank to ensure “adequate and reasonable financial services for the public” in the national interest.
It also cited Section 1(c)(d) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, which seeks to “protect and promote the interests and welfare of consumers” and prohibits “restrictive or unfair business practices.”
“The increase in ATM transaction fees will hit the hardest those at the bottom of the economy and exacerbate the growing poverty in the country,” SERAP stated.
“CBN policies should not be skewed against poor Nigerians and in favour of banks that continue to declare trillions of naira in profits at the expense of their customers.”
The organisation argued that imposing exorbitant fees at a time when many Nigerians are struggling economically is “manifestly unfair, unreasonable, and unjust.” It warned that the policy creates a two-tiered financial system, discriminating against economically vulnerable citizens who may not afford the extra charges.
“The increase in fees contradicts the Tinubu administration’s commitment to addressing poverty,” SERAP said.
“The CBN is failing to comply with the Nigerian Constitution, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, and international human rights obligations.”
SERAP demanded that the CBN reverse the decision within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of its letter or face legal action.
“If we have not heard from you by then, we shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the CBN to comply in the public interest,” the letter concluded.
Meanwhile, bank customers also kicked as CBN scrapped free ATM withdrawals, decrying the rate of increase.
The 2026 UTME, which began on April 16, is expected to continue until April 22 across examination centres nationwide.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on Friday announced that it had released the results of 632,788 candidates who sat for the first day of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
A statement by the JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin noted that the results of candidates who sat the 2026 UTME on Thursday, 16 April 2026, have been released and are now available for viewing.
To check their results, he advised candidates to send UTMERESULT via SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the same phone number (SIM) used during registration.
He, however, said that at this stage, candidates may view their results only; printing is not yet available.
The 2026 UTME, which began on April 16, is expected to continue until April 22 across examination centres nationwide.
How To Print Your Official Result Slip
The result slip carries the candidate’s passport photograph, full scores, and details required for admission processing.
It will be made available for printing on JAMB’s e-Facility portal at efacility.jamb.gov.ng and attracts a fee of N1,500.
Once activated, candidates should follow the steps below.
– Visit efacility.jamb.gov.ng.
– Log in with your registered email address and password.
– On your dashboard, click Print Result Slip.
– Click Continue with Payment and pay the N1,500 fee.
– Select 2026 as the examination year and enter your JAMB registration number.
– Download and print the result slip.
Check Your Score Via SMS
– Make sure you have at least N50 airtime on the phone number linked to your JAMB registration.
– Send UTMERESULT to 55019.
– Your score will be delivered to you via SMS.
Other Tips
– If you have forgotten your password or email address, use the Forgot Password option on the portal or visit a JAMB office with your registration details.
– Keep multiple printed copies of your result slip, as institutions typically request it during screening and admission.
– Use only JAMB’s official websites — efacility.jamb.gov.ng or portal.jamb.gov.ng to avoid scams.
JAMB Cautioned Against Manipulation
Candidates were strongly cautioned against manipulating the SMS received from the official platform (55019/66019) to fabricate or alter scores with the intent to mislead others, including parents.
“Such actions constitute a serious criminal offence. The Board treats such misconduct with the utmost gravity.”
“Currently, two candidates and one parent are in custody for engaging in result falsification using AI and other electronic means. Any candidate found culpable will face the full consequences of the law”, JAMB warned.
The examination is ongoing, and results will continue to be released as they become available.
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have arrested nine suspected Berom militia members responsible for targeted killings, and recovered arms and ammunition following an operation in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
This followed the ongoing security concerns linked to recurring attacks and cycles of violence in the area.
A counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this in a post on X.
He stated that the suspects were arrested at about 0135 hours on April 18, 2026, when troops deployed at Ganawuri responded to reports of suspected criminal movement towards the Danwal general area.
He said that troops intercepted and arrested the suspects, who were found with blood stains on their bodies, raising suspicion of recent involvement in silent killings.
According to him, those arrested were identified as Gyang Dantoro, Samson Davou, Choji Yakubu, Vincent Adamu, Pam Dalyop, Femi Badung, Jacob Musa and Choji Chaga, all residents of Danwal and reportedly of Berom extraction.
Items recovered from them include three motorcycles, one pistol, one submachine gun, one locally made revolver rifle, 20 rounds of pistol ammunition, and one locally fabricated rifle, among other items,” he said.
Fear in the Middle East as Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the United States of violating prior understandings amid an ongoing naval blockade.
In a statement on Saturday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that control of the strategic waterway had “returned to its previous state,” citing continued US restrictions on Iranian ports as justification for the move.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global transit route, is a chokepoint through which a significant share of the world’s crude oil passes daily. Any disruption is expected to send immediate shockwaves through global energy markets.
Reacting to the development, US President Donald Trump insisted that Washington would not back down, stating that the naval blockade “will remain in full force” until “our transaction with Iran is 100% complete.”
He did not elaborate on the specifics of the “transaction.”
Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had offered a contrasting position, saying the strait remained “completely open” to commercial vessels.
He emphasized that maritime activities were proceeding “in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon” and along “the coordinated route as already announced.”
The conflicting statements have added to confusion over the actual status of the waterway, with shipping companies and global observers scrambling to assess risks in real time.
Meanwhile, President Trump also disclosed that Israel had been “prohibited” from launching further strikes on Lebanon, as a fragile 10-day ceasefire entered its first full day.
The pause in hostilities has allowed tens of thousands of displaced civilians to begin returning to their homes after weeks of intense Israeli bombardment.
The situation remains fluid, with fears mounting that any miscalculation in the Gulf could trigger a wider regional confrontation.
Observers say the coming hours will be critical in determining whether diplomatic channels can ease tensions or if the standoff will deepen further.
JAMB: See How To Check, Print 2026 UTME Result Slip
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