The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has screened a total of 924 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this on Saturday during an interactive session with state Commissioners for Education held in Lagos.
Oloyede said the centres would still undergo a final test before receiving full accreditation to participate in the 2026 UTME registration and examination.
According to him, the accreditation exercise was carried out to determine the suitability of CBT centres for the examination process.
He explained that the exercise involved Chief External Examiners, including vice chancellors, rectors and provosts, as well as technical advisers, JAMB state coordinators and technical officers.
The registrar stated that the meeting with commissioners was aimed at strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders to ensure smooth registration and the conduct of the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry (DE) examinations.
Oloyede said the forum also provided an opportunity to share JAMB’s vision, policies and strategies for the 2026 exercise, including measures to enhance integrity and efficiency.
Speaking on the registration timeline, Oloyede said the sale of UTME application documents, known as e-PINs, would commence before the official registration period.
He stated that UTME registration would run from January 26 to February 28 at all approved CBT centres nationwide.
He added that the sale of e-PINs would begin earlier, from January 19 to February 26, while registration for the mock examination would close on February 16.
On Direct Entry, Oloyede said the sale of application documents and e-PINs would begin on March 2 and end on April 25.
He added that Direct Entry registration would also be available at all JAMB offices.
Speaking on eligibility, the registrar said only candidates who would be at least 16 years old by September 30 would be allowed to apply for the 2026 UTME.
He noted that underage candidates would only be considered in rare cases and would be subjected to an intensive evaluation process.
According to him, such candidates must score at least 80 per cent in UTME, A’ level, Post-UTME, SSCE and the exceptional candidate assessment.
Oloyede warned that candidates involved in examination malpractice, including identity manipulation and multiple registrations, would be disqualified.
He revealed that JAMB uncovered syndicates during the 2025 UTME that specialised in identity manipulation using multiple National Identification Numbers (NINs) during the examination period.
