The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it is fully prepared to deliver a smooth and credible 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), despite the challenges encountered during the recently concluded mock exercise.

According to the Board, a total of 1,039 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers were initially targeted for accreditation ahead of the main examination scheduled to commence on April 16, with over two million candidates registered nationwide.

JAMB successfully conducted the 2026 mock UTME in 758 out of over 900 approved centres, involving more than 200,000 candidates on Saturday, March 28.

While the exercise was largely successful, a number of centres experienced technical failure issues,which JAMB noted underscored the importance of the mock process.

The registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, said the mock examination served its purpose by helping candidates to familiarise themselves with the CBT environment while also exposing gaps in the Board’s operational readiness.

He disclosed that centres that failed during the mock will be delisted, adding that the board will undertake a comprehensive review to address the identified shortcomings before the main UTME.

Professor Oloyede again warned candidates to shun examination fraud, revealing that JAMB recently uncovered syndicates using AI-generated fake images and videos of senior officials to deceive candidates into paying for nonexistent score upgrades.

He stated that with the approval of the Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, the Board would delete the UTME registrations of at least 100 candidates found to have engaged such networks.

Investigations showed that more than 120 candidates had already paid money to syndicates operating under supposed “direct system” or “VIP assistance” packages.

Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin, reiterated that JAMB’s systems are “foolproof,” stressing that result manipulation is impossible and perpetrators will be caught.

Despite its overall success, the mock examination recorded severe delays in some centres, particularly in Nasarawa State, where candidates waited for hours.

Ahead of the main UTME, the board has strengthened collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure smooth conduct of the exercise.

At a high-level meeting with JAMB in Abuja, the Deputy Commandant-General (Operations), Mr Phillips Ayuba, said the corps is committed to safeguarding the integrity of the examination and preventing malpractices, extortion, vandalism, and other threats, warning examination fraudsters to stay away from CBT centres.

He added that state commandants would be held accountable for any misconduct within their jurisdictions.

Oloyede, commended the security partnership and urged the Corps to ensure gender-sensitive screening, including the deployment of female officers to screen female candidates.

He further stressed the need for operatives to arrive early to prevent the smuggling of banned items like mobile phones.

JAMB also organised a virtual training for Biometric Verification Registration Officers (BVROs), who serve as the first line of authentication for candidates entering exam halls.

Oloyede described biometric verification as a critical safeguard against impersonation and other infractions capable of compromising the UTME.

Technical Officers were also trained on the use of the Board’s new Alternate Test Engine, with sessions led by IT experts including Mr Damilola Bamiro and Professor Bashir Galandanci.

A presentation on accurate field reporting by the director of Quality Assurance, Mr Danladi Mohammed, emphasized the importance of proper documentation and orderly report writing.

With less than a month to the main UTME, JAMB has maintained that no form of fraud or shortcut will yield results.

Professor Oloyede, urged candidates to study diligently and rely only on official information from the Board. (Nigerian Tribune, but headline rejigged)