Abuja, Nigeria
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially commenced registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE), introducing stricter rules for candidate disclosure and enhanced surveillance measures at Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide.
Announced across multiple Nigerian dailies between January 24 and 29, 2026, the policy changes signal JAMB’s renewed determination to strengthen the integrity of the national admissions process and prevent abuses that have plagued past examination cycles.
JAMB confirmed that registration for the 2026 UTME began on January 26, 2026, following the earlier rollout of e-PIN sales. The exercise is being conducted exclusively at accredited CBT centres nationwide and is expected to run until late February 2026.
The Board warned candidates to register only at approved centres, noting that entries from unaccredited locations will not be recognised. This step aims to reduce the incidence of fraudulent registrations and protect candidates from administrative complications.
A key clarification by JAMB addressed a recurring source of confusion: the eligibility of candidates already enrolled in tertiary institutions. Contrary to circulating misinformation, undergraduates are allowed to register for UTME or Direct Entry, provided they fully disclose their current matriculation or admission status.
“Failure to provide truthful disclosure constitutes a violation of JAMB’s regulations and may result in sanctions, including the cancellation of admissions,” a Board official stated.
The disclosure requirement is part of JAMB’s broader effort to curb multiple admissions, data manipulation, and systemic abuse, ensuring fairness and transparency in the selection process.
In a major policy update, JAMB has mandated live CCTV monitoring for all CBT centres participating in the 2026 UTME. The requirement ensures that centres provide real-time video feeds accessible to JAMB’s central monitoring system.
Centres that fail to comply risk disqualification from registering candidates or hosting examinations, officials warned.
“This measure is designed to enhance credibility, deter impersonation, and prevent collusion during examinations,” a JAMB spokesperson said.
To further safeguard the process, JAMB has strengthened collaboration with security agencies, including the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to improve monitoring at CBT centres and secure examination materials.
The Board has also engaged educational stakeholders nationwide, highlighting innovations for the 2026 UTME and addressing challenges reported in previous years, including technical failures and administrative bottlenecks.
Analysts say the combination of stricter disclosure rules, enhanced surveillance, and security partnerships represents a significant shift toward tighter regulation of Nigeria’s admissions process.
Candidates are urged to:
- Register only at accredited CBT centres.
- Provide accurate personal and academic information.
- Verify that centres comply with JAMB’s live surveillance requirements.
CBT operators and institutions must align fully with JAMB’s technical and ethical standards or risk being excluded from the examination process.
As the 2026 UTME registration progresses, JAMB’s policies underscore a renewed focus on accountability, transparency, and examination integrity. While stricter compliance may pose challenges, experts agree that the measures are necessary to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary education admissions system.
Education analyst Dr. Ifeoma Okoye observed, “The reforms reflect lessons learned from past examination cycles. By enforcing disclosure rules and real-time monitoring, JAMB is taking concrete steps to ensure that merit, not malpractice, determines admission outcomes.”
For candidates, institutions, and parents, the message is clear: adherence to the rules is now non-negotiable, and the Board is watching.