As preparations intensify for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has issued a comprehensive list of prohibited items and examination misconduct penalties, warning candidates to strictly comply or risk severe sanctions. The nationwide examination is scheduled to hold from April 16 to April 25, 2026, across accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
The examination body emphasized that the new guidelines are part of sustained efforts to protect the credibility and integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary admission process. Candidates have been urged to familiarise themselves with the rules, as ignorance will not be accepted as an excuse in cases of violations, many of which attract outright cancellation of results, bans, or prosecution under the Examination Malpractice Act.
EXAMINATION MISCONDUCT CODES AND PENALTIES
JAMB outlined a series of offences, each with strict consequences:
1. No examination slip
Penalty: Cancellation of result
2. Possession of calculators or electronic devices
Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution
3. Spying or attempting to view others’ work
Penalty: Cancellation of result
4. Impersonation
Penalty: Cancellation of result, 2-year ban, and prosecution
5. Swapping exam details or documents
Penalty: Cancellation of result
6. Possession of storage devices (USB, CD, hard disk)
Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution
7. Violent or unruly conduct
Penalty: Cancellation, expulsion, prosecution, and 3-year ban
8. Lateness to exam hall
Penalty: Cancellation of result
9. Possession of wristwatch
Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution
10. Possession of mobile phones or similar devices
Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution
11. Collusion with candidates or exam officials
Penalty: Cancellation, 3-year ban, and prosecution
12. Unauthorized movement in/out of exam hall
Penalty: Cancellation of result
13. Mass cheating
Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution
14. Use of unauthorized materials
Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution
15. Result tampering or forgery
Penalty: Cancellation, 3-year ban, and prosecution
FULL LIST OF BANNED ITEMS
Candidates found with any of the following items risk disqualification:
Wristwatches
Pens or biros
Mobile phones and electronic gadgets
Spy glasses
Calculators
USB drives, CDs, hard disks
Books or written materials
Cameras, recorders, microphones
Earpieces and Bluetooth devices
Smart lenses, rings, or jewellery
Key holders and ATM cards
Erasers
Bangles, necklaces, rings
Wallets and purses
IMPORTANT EXAMINATION GUIDELINES
JAMB further highlighted key instructions for candidates:
Only HB pencils are permitted for the examination
No bags, wallets, or personal items allowed into the hall
Strict biometric verification will be conducted
Candidates must arrive early at their assigned centres
The examination will run in four daily sessions, starting from 8:30 a.m.
With thousands of candidates expected to participate nationwide, education experts have reiterated the importance of discipline and compliance during the examination period. The 2026 UTME remains a critical gateway into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, making adherence to JAMB’s regulations not just necessary, but decisive for candidates’ academic futures.
