The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a fresh warning to candidates intending to sit for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE), urging them to verify the accuracy of their National Identification Number (NIN) details before commencing registration.
The advisory was contained in JAMB’s weekly bulletin released on Monday, where the examination body cautioned that inconsistencies or errors in NIN records could create serious complications during registration and potentially jeopardise candidates’ eligibility to participate in the examinations.
According to JAMB, candidates are required to ensure that their NIN information such as names, date of birth, and gender is correctly captured and consistent across all official databases, including those of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and JAMB’s own systems.
“Candidates are strongly advised to verify that their National Identification Number details are accurate before initiating profile creation,” the board stated. “Incorrect NIN information may result in avoidable difficulties during registration and the examination process.”
The board explained that NIN verification is a foundational step in the UTME and DE registration process, as candidates’ profiles are generated directly from NIMC records. Any discrepancy, JAMB noted, could lead to delays, denial of access to registration portals, or challenges that may not be resolved before the examination period.
JAMB further disclosed that registration for the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry examinations could begin at any moment, stressing that candidates should take advantage of the current window to cross-check and correct their personal details ahead of time.
The examination body also warned that opportunities to make corrections after registration are usually limited and may not cover all categories of errors. This, it said, places greater responsibility on candidates to ensure accuracy from the outset.
“Candidates are encouraged to take full responsibility for the accuracy of their details from the beginning, as not all correction requests can be granted,” JAMB added, underscoring the importance of early verification.
Education stakeholders have repeatedly raised concerns in previous years about candidates being denied access to examinations due to data mismatches between NIMC and JAMB records, making the board’s latest warning particularly significant as preparations for the 2026 exercise intensify.
JAMB reaffirmed that the NIN policy remains central to its efforts to curb impersonation, identity fraud, and examination malpractice, noting that accurate candidate data is essential for maintaining the integrity of the admissions process.
The board concluded by calling on all prospective candidates to cooperate fully by ensuring proper documentation and data accuracy, assuring that compliance would contribute to a smooth, transparent, and hitch-free 2026 UTME and Direct Entry registration exercise nationwide.
