The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it has screened 924 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers across the country in preparation for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). According to JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the centers will undergo a final test before being accredited to participate in the 2026 UTME registration and examination.
The screening process is part of JAMB’s efforts to ensure that all CBT centers meet the required standards for the conduct of the examination. A rigorous accreditation exercise was carried out, involving chief external examiners, technical advisors, and JAMB technical officers. The purpose of the exercise is to check the suitability of each CBT center and prevent any potential irregularities during the examination.
In a meeting with state commissioners for education, Professor Oloyede outlined the board’s vision, policies, and strategies for the 2026 exercise, including new measures to strengthen integrity and efficiency. The meeting aimed to sustain stakeholders’ collaboration and leverage state platforms to support effective public sensitization and information dissemination to candidates and stakeholders.
The 2026 UTME registration is scheduled to commence on January 26 and will end on February 28. Mock and UTME candidates will register first, followed by Direct Entry (DE) candidates. The sale of UTME application documents will start earlier, on January 19, and end on February 26. Registration will be available at all JAMB offices.
Professor Oloyede also addressed the issue of underage candidates, stating that only those who will be at least 16 years old by September 30 are eligible to apply for the 2026 UTME. Underage candidates will undergo an intensive evaluation to determine their eligibility for a waiver, and their UTME results will be released only after the complete evaluation process is concluded.
Furthermore, the JAMB registrar warned that any candidate found involved in examination malpractices, including identity manipulation, will be disqualified. The board has uncovered syndicates that specialize in identity manipulation, including the use of multiple National Identification Numbers (NINs) by a single candidate for double registration or impersonation. Candidates found to be involved in multiple registrations will have all associated registrations nullified and will be disqualified from the examination and admission processes.
