JAMB Redefines 2026 UTME Rules, Allows Matriculated Students to Register

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified that candidates currently enrolled in tertiary institutions are eligible to register for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE), provided they fully disclose their matriculation status.

The Board, however, warned that failure to declare such status could result in the forfeiture of both the existing admission and any new admission secured through the 2026 UTME or DE.

JAMB made this clarification in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Fabian Benjamin, its Public Communication Adviser, following what it described as widespread misrepresentation of its registration guidelines by some “self-styled education advocates.”

According to the Board, the misleading narratives, which have circulated widely on social media, stem from a deliberate distortion of its directives as contained in the 2026 UTME/DE advertisement.

“The attention of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has been drawn to a misleading and unfortunate distortion of a portion of the Board’s clear directives to candidates registering for the 2026 UTME/DE

“This deliberate misrepresentation is being propagated by some unscrupulous self-styled education advocates for parochial interests,” he stated

Benjamin noted that such individuals often emerge at the start of every registration cycle, spreading inaccurate information without properly reading or understanding official guidelines.

“Many of them do not take the time to read or properly understand the guidelines, yet hastily rush to the public space with false narratives aimed solely at attracting traffic to their social media platforms,” he said.

Clarifying the Board’s position, Benjamin emphasised that registering for the UTME or DE while already enrolled in an institution is not an offence under JAMB regulations. However, he stressed that non-disclosure of matriculation status violates the law.

“For the avoidance of doubt and for record purposes, and in line with its statutory mandate to prevent multiple matriculations, the Board directed that all candidates registering for the 2026 UTME/DE must disclose their matriculation status, where applicable,” he added

He explained that disclosure simply means that once a candidate secures a new admission through the UTME or DE, the previous admission automatically lapses.

“The law is explicit that no candidate is permitted to hold two admissions concurrently,” Benjamin said.

The JAMB spokesman further revealed that recent investigations showed that some already matriculated students had been involved in examination malpractice as professional examination takers, a development he said made mandatory disclosure necessary.

“Mandatory disclosure, therefore, expedites appropriate action whenever such candidates are apprehended,” he noted.

Although JAMB’s systems are capable of detecting prior matriculation records, Benjamin warned that candidates who deliberately fail to disclose their status risk losing both their old and new admissions.

He urged parents and candidates to rely on official JAMB publications and guidelines, rather than unverified interpretations circulating online.

“The Board therefore urges the public to be cautious of these so-called education advocates who are perpetually eager to mislead candidates and parents for selfish gain,” he said.

Meanwhile, JAMB reiterated that registration for the 2026 UTME officially commenced on January 26. The Board also restated its decision that any Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre whose registration activities cannot be remotely monitored will be barred from participating in the exercise.

The policy, tagged “No Vision, No Registration, No UTME,” according to JAMB, is part of ongoing efforts to curb registration infractions and strengthen the integrity of its examination processes nationwide.