The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a new policy for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration. Under the updated process, all candidates will now be required to declare their current admission status — whether they are already students of any tertiary institution in Nigeria or abroad.
This move by JAMB is aimed at curbing impersonation and examination malpractice, which were found to be common among candidates during the 2025 UTME. EducationNGR gathered that this decision follows a review of multiple malpractice reports and irregularities recorded during the last examination cycle.
Why JAMB Introduced the New Rule
According to data from the 2025 UTME Infraction Report, over 90% of candidates caught in malpractice cases were already students of other tertiary institutions. These individuals attempted to exploit the examination system for unauthorised or fraudulent purposes.
To address this issue, JAMB has instructed all relevant departments to include a compulsory field in the 2026 UTME registration template. This field will require every applicant to clearly state their current studentship status before completing the registration process.
Penalties for False Declarations
Candidates who fail to declare their true status or provide false information risk strict penalties. Such actions could lead to:
- Cancellation of current registration
- Withdrawal of any previously granted admission
- Possible prosecution under existing laws
This directive serves as an early warning to prospective candidates that JAMB will not tolerate actions that compromise the credibility of its examinations or the integrity of the admission system.
JAMB’s Commitment to Transparent Admissions
The Board reiterated that the UTME is primarily intended for fresh admission seekers. Those already enrolled in tertiary institutions must not register for the examination without full disclosure of their status.
EducationNGR also learnt that this initiative aligns with JAMB’s wider digital reform programme aimed at promoting data transparency across all tertiary institutions. The Board reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining fairness and accountability in the Nigerian admissions process. By enforcing this new measure, JAMB seeks to strengthen public confidence in the integrity of higher education admissions across the country.