JAMB gives condition for undergraduate to sit for UTME

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified that undergraduates are not barred from registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry.

However, the board said such candidates must openly declare their current matriculation status or risk losing both their existing admission and any new one obtained.

The clarification was contained in a statement by JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin.

He said the board’s directive had been twisted by some individuals, creating unnecessary anxiety among candidates and parents.

According to him, a section of the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry advertisement had been deliberately misrepresented by ‘self-appointed education advocates’ pursuing personal interests.

Benjamin said similar distortions usually surface at the beginning of every registration exercise.

He accused some commentators of failing to study official guidelines before spreading misleading narratives on public platforms.

The JAMB spokesman stressed that registering for UTME or Direct Entry while enrolled in a tertiary institution does not violate any rule.

He explained that the violation arises when a candidate fails to disclose such status during registration.

“For record purposes and in line with its mandate to prevent multiple matriculations, all candidates registering for the 2026 UTME/DE are required to declare their matriculation status where applicable,” he said.

He added that disclosure simply means that once a candidate secures a fresh admission, any previous admission automatically becomes invalid.

Benjamin emphasised that Nigerian law does not permit a candidate to hold two admissions at the same time.

He said the directive became important following reports that some already-matriculated students had been linked to examination malpractice, including acting as hired test takers.

According to him, compulsory disclosure helps the board to take prompt action whenever such candidates are identified.

While noting that JAMB’s digital systems can trace previous matriculation records, he warned that candidates who conceal their status could lose both admissions.

He urged candidates and parents to rely only on official JAMB publications and ignore misleading interpretations circulating online.

Benjamin reaffirmed the board’s resolve to protect the credibility of its examinations.

JAMB had earlier announced that registration for the 2026 UTME commenced on January 26.

It also said only Computer-Based Test centres equipped with facilities for remote monitoring would be allowed to participate in the exercise.

The board explained that the measure, under the policy “No Vision, No Registration, No UTME,” is designed to curb irregularities and strengthen confidence in the examination process.

Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5 million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25 million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, click here to find out how it works.

Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.