The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will begin in the first quarter of 2026, a move it says is designed to deliver a smoother and more secure process for millions of prospective candidates nationwide.
The disclosure was made in JAMB’s latest bulletin, which confirmed that all preparatory processes including accreditation, validation, and security checks for centres and personnel have been concluded ahead of the exercise.
For many candidates, especially those preparing for their first major national examination, the UTME represents a defining step toward higher education. JAMB acknowledged this pressure, noting that lessons from previous examinations informed a series of technological and operational upgrades aimed at restoring confidence in the system.
According to the Board, reviews conducted after the 2025 UTME shaped the reforms now being deployed. These include tighter controls to limit irregularities and improve transparency during both registration and examination phases.
In a clear policy stance, JAMB issued a strong warning to individuals or groups planning to engage in registration or examination malpractice. The Board stressed that offenders would face severe legal consequences, noting that enforcement efforts would extend beyond the examination period.
“The management of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has concluded all necessary accreditation, validation, and security checks for centres, personnel, and other stakeholders to be involved in the registration exercise for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME),” the bulletin stated.
It added that those intending to perpetrate infractions should stay away from the 2026 UTME registration process, as investigations are ongoing and continuous.
The Board revealed that more than 30 suspects linked to previous registration and examination malpractice are currently being prosecuted, with nearly 20 already held in correctional facilities. JAMB noted that arrests could still occur during or even after the 2026 UTME if investigations uncover new evidence.
While outlining these enforcement measures, JAMB urged members of the public to engage with its processes only if they are duly registered candidates or accredited stakeholders. It also reassured prospective candidates that application documents for the 2026 UTME would be released early in the year.
JAMB’s renewed focus on integrity follows findings from investigations into the 2025 UTME, during which 6,458 results were flagged for suspected high-tech cheating. A 23-member special committee uncovered 4,251 cases of finger blending, a biometric manipulation technique and 192 instances of AI-assisted impersonation through image morphing.
Despite these discoveries, the Board maintained that overall malpractice levels remained relatively low compared to the total number of candidates. In response to the infractions, the Federal Government approved a three-year ban for candidates found guilty of examination malpractice.
JAMB said the insights gained from these investigations would guide further improvements for the 2026 UTME, as it works to balance strict enforcement with fair access to examination opportunities for candidates.
