JAMB Begins Accreditation of CBT Centres for 2026 UTME: Details, Registration Timeline and Requirements

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has commenced the nationwide accreditation of Computer-Based Test centres for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. The exercise, which began on Monday, December 15, 2025, will cover a total of 848 CBT centres across the country.

The development was disclosed in the Board’s latest weekly bulletin following a virtual stakeholders’ meeting chaired by the JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede. Participants at the meeting included Chief External Examiners, Chief Technical Advisors, Zonal Directors, State Coordinators, representatives of the Computer Professionals Association of Nigeria and other key officials involved in the UTME process.

Professor Oloyede stressed that the accreditation exercise is critical to the integrity and credibility of the 2026 UTME, urging members of the accreditation teams to carry out their duties with diligence, professionalism and strict adherence to established standards. He warned against the approval of any CBT centre that fails to meet JAMB’s technical and operational requirements, describing the assignment as a national responsibility with far-reaching consequences for candidates and the education system.

The Registrar also advised officials to remain security conscious throughout the exercise, avoid unnecessary exposure to risk and comply with safety guidelines, assuring that adequate security measures had been put in place to ensure a smooth and secure accreditation process nationwide.

Providing technical insights, JAMB’s Information Technology Consultant, Mr Damilola Bamiro, explained that only centres that successfully completed the mandatory automated system readiness test would be eligible for physical inspection. He noted that this preliminary assessment is designed to ensure that only facilities with adequate technical capacity are considered for UTME accreditation.

According to him, accreditation teams will pay close attention to the installation and configuration of CCTV systems, which must be hard-wired, operate on the recommended 16-channel configuration and use approved equipment standards. He added that all network switches are required to be connected to Uninterruptible Power Supply units to guarantee stability during examinations.

With the accreditation exercise underway, indications suggest that registration for the 2026 UTME will commence soon. Prospective candidates are therefore encouraged to begin early preparation for the examination, including familiarising themselves with the CBT format and relevant guidelines issued by the Board.

The accreditation of CBT centres is a key step in JAMB’s efforts to improve examination quality, enhance transparency and ensure a seamless testing experience for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in the 2026 academic cycle.