JAMB Makes Admission Status Declaration Mandatory for 2026 UTME Registration

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a new directive requiring all candidates registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to declare their current admission status.

According to the board, this new policy aims to strengthen transparency and curb rising cases of impersonation and examination malpractice during the UTME process. Beginning with the 2026 registration exercise, every applicant must clearly state whether they are already enrolled in any tertiary institution before completing their registration.

JAMB explained that this decision follows a detailed review of infractions recorded during the 2025 UTME cycle. The report revealed that over 90 percent of those involved in exam malpractice were students who had already gained admission into various universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education but still attempted to sit for the exam again.

The examination body emphasized that such actions have contributed to widespread impersonation, identity fraud, and multiple admissions, undermining the integrity of Nigeria’s higher education admission process.

To address these issues, JAMB stated that candidates who provide false information about their admission status will face strict sanctions. These include withdrawal of any previously granted admission, cancellation of their ongoing UTME registration, and possible legal prosecution in line with national examination laws.

The board further noted that this new requirement will serve as an early warning to candidates and parents about the importance of honesty during registration. It stressed that the UTME is primarily designed for fresh admission seekers and not for students who are already enrolled in tertiary institutions.

In an official statement, JAMB said the policy is part of its renewed commitment to ensure fairness and credibility in Nigeria’s admission system. The board reiterated that it would not tolerate any attempt to manipulate the process or undermine its credibility.

By making this declaration compulsory, JAMB aims to prevent multiple enrolments and the use of fake identities by candidates seeking to obtain more than one admission at the same time. This measure is also expected to help tertiary institutions verify the authenticity of candidates’ admission histories before granting new offers.

Educational stakeholders have praised the board’s decision, describing it as a positive step towards promoting integrity in the UTME process. Many believe the move will help sanitize the system and ensure that only qualified candidates gain admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Meanwhile, JAMB urged parents, school administrators, and admission officers to educate candidates on the importance of full disclosure during registration. The board emphasized that providing false information, even at the point of registration, can have long-term consequences, including blacklisting from future examinations.

The agency also reiterated its commitment to improving the efficiency of the 2026 UTME through upgraded biometric verification systems and digital monitoring tools. These improvements are expected to detect identity duplication and prevent malpractice during the examination.

This new directive reflects JAMB’s broader mission to restore trust in Nigeria’s tertiary admission process and ensure that all candidates are treated fairly. With over 1.9 million students expected to participate in the 2026 UTME, the board believes that stricter monitoring and identity checks will play a crucial role in maintaining transparency.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has also advised all prospective 2026 candidates to visit accredited registration centers only and ensure that their details are correctly entered in the registration portal. Candidates are further encouraged to keep their profiles updated and avoid third-party interference that could compromise their records.

By enforcing the admission status declaration, JAMB hopes to discourage impersonation, examination malpractice, and illegal multiple admissions, ensuring that the 2026 UTME remains credible, transparent, and merit-based.