JAMB Screens 924 CBT Centres for 2026 UTME Exercise

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) said it had screened 924 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country ahead of this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this during an interactive session with state Commissioners for Education, in preparation for the UTME exercise in Lagos State.
According to him, the centres will go through a final test before final accreditation to participate in the UTME registration and examination.
“Prior to the commencement of the 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 of the CBT centres has been carried out for the 2026 UTME.
“Members of the accreditation team included the Chief External Examiners (vice chancellors, rectors and provosts), technical advisers, JAMB state coordinators and JAMB technical officers,” he said.
He added that the purpose of the meeting was to sustain stakeholders’ collaboration with commissioners for education to ensure hitch-free registration and conduct of the 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 is to further leverage state platforms and networks to support effective public sensitisation and information dissemination to candidates and stakeholders.
“The meeting is also to obtain constructive inputs from commissioners to refine plans and improve operational outcomes, recognising their critical role in grassroots engagement.
“Also, it is to strengthen joint efforts to curb examination malpractice and other unwholesome practices,” he said.
Speaking further on when this year’s UTME would commence, Oloyede said that mock and UTME candidates would register first before the DE candidates.
“The sale of the UTME application document, which is the ePIN, will start earlier than the commencement of actual registration, which is from January 19 to February 26.
“Actual UTME registration period is between January 26 and February 28 at all approved CBT centres.
“The close of mock selection is February 16, while the sale of DE application documents and ePIN vending will commence on March 2 and close by April 25,” he said.
He added that registration would be available at all JAMB offices.
Speaking on underage candidates, Oloyede said that only candidates who would be at least 16 years old by September 30 were eligible to apply for the 2026 UTME.
“Government considers underage candidates under 16 for admission as a rare exception.
“For the 2026 UTME, underage candidates are those who will be less than 16 years old by September 30.
“They will undergo an intensive evaluation to determine their eligibility for a waiver,” he said.
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 of the underage candidates will be released only at the conclusion of the complete evaluation process,” he said.