The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, has urged examination officials to uphold the highest level of professionalism and dedication as the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) commences across the country today.
He issued the directive during a final virtual briefing for technical officers, noting the high expectations from candidates, parents, and education stakeholders for a smooth and credible examination process nationwide.
Oloyede stressed that the success of the UTME largely depends on the commitment and efficiency of deployed personnel, adding that the strong performance recorded during the mock examination must be sustained and improved upon in the main exercise.
He, however, raised concerns over lapses observed in some centres during the mock test, attributing them to inadequate supervision by certain technical officers. As a result, he confirmed that 11 officials had been delisted for poor performance, while investigations into other cases are ongoing and may lead to further sanctions.
To promote accountability and excellence, the JAMB Registrar announced that top-performing teams would be rewarded based on key indicators such as timely handling of examination materials, accurate documentation, and prompt reporting.
He explained that the reward system is intended to motivate officials and strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s examination process, while also warning against any form of negligence or malpractice.
Oloyede also reaffirmed JAMB’s commitment to leveraging advanced technology to curb examination fraud, urging officials to remain vigilant throughout the exercise.
On candidates with verification challenges, he disclosed that such individuals would be rescheduled to sit their examinations at approved centres.
Speaking at the briefing, the Director of Information Technology Services, Mrs. Fumilola Usman, called for teamwork and effective communication among all officials, stressing that quick reporting of challenges is essential for a seamless process.
She warned that negligence would not be tolerated, as the board has made full arrangements for the conduct of the 2026 UTME scheduled between April 16 and April 25 across 966 accredited CBT centres nationwide.
According to JAMB, over 2.2 million candidates are expected to participate in this year’s examination.
The board also confirmed that 23 CBT centres were earlier delisted due to poor performance during the mock exercise.
Candidates have been advised to print their examination slips from the JAMB portal, as it contains essential details such as venue, date, and time, as well as biometric verification requirements.
In a bid to reduce late arrivals, JAMB adjusted reporting time for the first session to 7:00 a.m., while examinations will begin at 8:30 a.m. daily in four sessions from Monday to Saturday.
Adequate arrangements have also been made for candidates living with disabilities through the Equal Opportunity Group led by Professor Peter Okebukola.
The board further warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls, stating that strict penalties would be enforced for any violations.
With enhanced security, improved supervision, and strict compliance measures, JAMB expressed confidence in delivering a credible and seamless 2026 UTME exercise.
