JAMB issues warning ahead of 2026 UTME registration
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has directed candidates currently enrolled in tertiary institutions to disclose their matriculation status during registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE), warning that failure to do so could lead to forfeiture of admissions.
The Board said the directive is mandatory and applies to all candidates seeking to register for the 2026 admission cycle.
Board clarifies directive, warns against misinformation
In a statement issued on Wednesday, JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, said the Board was compelled to respond to what it described as deliberate misrepresentation of its guidelines by some individuals posing as education advocates.
According to Benjamin, the misinformation has caused confusion among candidates and parents, particularly regarding whether students already enrolled in institutions are allowed to register for UTME or Direct Entry.
Disclosure required, not prohibited
Benjamin clarified that it is not an offence for candidates already in tertiary institutions to register for UTME or DE, provided they disclose their current matriculation status during registration.
He explained that disclosure simply ensures that once a candidate secures a new admission, the previous one automatically lapses, in line with the law prohibiting multiple admissions.
“The law is explicit that no candidate is permitted to hold two admissions concurrently,” he said.
JAMB cites legal mandate
The Board said the requirement aligns with its statutory responsibility to prevent multiple matriculations and to ensure proper tracking of admissions.
Benjamin added that mandatory disclosure allows JAMB to take appropriate action where candidates are found to be holding or attempting to hold multiple admissions.
Public advised to rely on official guidelines
JAMB urged candidates and parents to read official registration guidelines carefully and disregard distorted interpretations circulating online.
The Board also cautioned against relying on unverified sources for admission-related information, noting that such narratives are often driven by personal interests rather than facts.
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