The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced that the registration course of for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will begin within the first quarter of 2026.
The disclosure was made within the Board’s newest bulletin, which confirmed that every one preparatory processes forward of the train had been concluded.
JAMB stated the transfer was aimed toward guaranteeing a clean, safe, and well-coordinated registration course of nationwide.
Within the bulletin, JAMB stated it had concluded all accreditation, validation, and safety checks for centres, personnel, and different stakeholders concerned within the 2026 UTME registration train.
The Board defined that intensive preparations had been undertaken to make sure the method is safe, clear, and largely free of irregularities.
JAMB famous that insights from the post-registration and examination evaluations of the 2025 UTME knowledgeable a variety of technological and operational enhancements now being deployed for the 2026 train.
It additionally issued a robust warning to people or {groups} intending to interact in registration or examination malpractice, stressing that such actions would entice extreme authorized penalties.
“The administration of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has concluded all mandatory accreditation, validation, and safety checks for centres, personnel, and different stakeholders to be concerned within the registration train for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME),” the bulletin learn partly.
It added, “Consequently, people or {groups} meaning to perpetrate registration or examination infractions are warned to avoid the 2026 UTME registration course of, scheduled to begin within the first quarter of 2026.”
The Board famous that these measures have been designed to strengthen system integrity and forestall makes an attempt at manipulation or malpractice.
The bulletin additionally revealed that greater than 30 suspects linked to earlier registration and examination infractions are at the moment being prosecuted, with almost 20 already in correctional custody.
JAMB warned that arrests may happen throughout and even after the 2026 UTME, as investigations are ongoing and steady.
The Board additional urged the general public to keep away from all JAMB processes except they’re duly registered candidates or accredited stakeholders.
It reassured candidates that software paperwork for the 2026 UTME could be launched early within the yr, reaffirming its dedication to transparency, accountability, and the integrity of the examination system.
JAMB’s reassurance for a extra clear 2026 UTME stems from investigations carried out after the 2025 examination. The Board disclosed that 6,458 UTME outcomes from 2025 have been discovered to be linked to suspected high-tech dishonest.
JAMB has now acknowledged that the teachings discovered from these investigations will information enhancements for the 2026 UTME. The Board plans to deploy enhanced technological and operational measures to make the registration and examination course of smoother, safer, and largely free of infractions.
