By HENRY OLADELE

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Saturday, says it has screened a total of 924 Computer Based Test (CBT) centres across the country, ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this during an interactive session with state Commissioners for Education, in preparation for the UTME exercise in Lagos.

According to him, the centres will go through the final test before the final accreditation to participate in the 2026 UTME registration and examination.

“Prior to commencement of registration exercise, the board conducts accreditation exercise, to check the suitability of each CBT centre, for the conduct of its examination.

“A rigorous accreditation exercise of the CBT centres had been carried out for the 2026 UTME.

“Members of the accreditation team included the Chief External Examiners (vice chancellors, Rectors and Provosts), Technical Advisors, JAMB State Coordinators, and JAMB Technical Officers,” he said.

Oloyede said the 924 centres would go through the final test before final accreditation in order to participate in the 2026 UTME registration and examination.

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 2026 UTME and Direct Entry (DE).

“It is to also 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 the 2026 UTME would commence, Oloyede said that Mock and UTME candidates would register first before the DE candidates

“The sale of UTME application document, which is the ePIN, will start earlier than commencement of actual registration which is Jan. 19 to Feb. 26.

“Actual UTME registration period is between Jan. 26 to Feb. 28 at all approved CBT centres.

“The close of mock selection is Feb. 16 while the sale of DE application documents and E-PIN 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 candidate, Oloyede said that only candidates who would be at least 16 years old by Sept. 30 were eligible to apply for the 2026 UTME.

“Government considers underage candidates under 16 for admission as a rare exception.

“For 2026 UTME, underage candidates are those who will be less than 16 years old by Sept. 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.

He, however, warned that any candidate found involved in examination malpractices would be disqualified.

“JAMB uncover syndicates during the 2025 UTME who specialise in identity manipulation.

“Part of the manipulation includes the use of multiple NINs by a single candidate for double registration, impersonation, or any form of identity manipulation.

“Any candidate found to be involved in multiple registrations shall have all associated registrations nullified.

“They shall be disqualified from the examination and admission processes," he said. (NAN)

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