Lagos: The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Saturday says it has screened a total of 924 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country, ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this during an interactive session with state Commissioners for Education, in preparation for the UTME exercise in Lagos.
According to him, the centres will undergo the final test before final accreditation to participate in the 2026 UTME registration and examination.
“Prior to commencement of registration exercise, the board conducts an accreditation exercise to check the suitability of each CBT centre for the conduct of its examination.
A rigorous accreditation exercise for the CBT centres was carried out for the 2026 UTME.
The accreditation team comprised Chief External Examiners (vice chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts), Technical Advisors, JAMB State Coordinators, and JAMB Technical Officers.
Oloyede said the 924 centres would undergo the final test before final accreditation to participate in the 2026 UTME registration and examination.
He explained that the meeting aimed to maintain stakeholder collaboration with the commissioners of education to ensure the smooth registration and conduct of the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry (DE).
“It is also to share JAMB’s vision, policies, and strategies for the 2026 exercise, including new measures to strengthen integrity and efficiency.
It will leverage state platforms to enhance public sensitisation and information dissemination to candidates and stakeholders.
The meeting also seeks input from commissioners to refine plans and improve outcomes, recognising their key grassroots role.
It aims to strengthen joint efforts against examination malpractice and unwholesome practices, he added.
Speaking further on when the 2026 UTME would commence, Oloyede said that Mock and UTME candidates would register first, followed by DE candidates.
“The sale of UTME application documents, which are the ePINs, will start earlier than the commencement of actual registration, which is Jan. 19 to Feb. 26.
“Actual UTME registration period is between Jan. 26 and Feb. 28 at all approved CBT centres.
“The close of mock selection is Feb. 16, while the sale of DE application documents and E-PIN vending will commence on March 2, and close by April 25,” he said.
Registration is available at all JAMB offices.
Speaking on underage candidates, Oloyede said that only candidates who would be at least 16 years old by Sept. 30 were eligible to apply for the 2026 UTME.
“The government considers underage candidates under 16 for admission as a rare exception.
For the 2026 UTME, underage candidates are those under 16 as of Sept. 30.
They must undergo an intensive evaluation to determine their possible eligibility for a waiver.
He added that such a candidate must have scored at least 80 per cent in each of the UTME, A-level, Post-UTME, SSCE, and the exceptional candidate assessment.
The UTME results for underage candidates will be released after the full evaluation process.
He, however, warned that any candidate found to be involved in examination malpractice would be disqualified.
JAMB uncovered syndicates during the 2025 UTME who specialise in identity manipulation.
Such manipulation includes using multiple NINs for double registration, impersonation, or identity manipulation.
Any candidate involved in multiple registrations will have all entries nullified.
These candidates will be disqualified from the examination and admission processes, he said.
