The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has cautioned candidates registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to strictly follow registration rules and avoid any form of misconduct.
The warning was issued by the Registrar of the Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, as the ongoing UTME registration, which began on January 26, enters its third week.
Speaking recently with media executives, as published in JAMB’s weekly bulletin on Monday, Oloyede stressed that violations during registration are treated as serious offences.
He explained that candidates found guilty of registration infractions risk being disqualified from writing the UTME for up to three years. He added that the identities of offenders may also be published in national newspapers and shared with other examination bodies.
The Registrar further revealed that offenders could be reported to law enforcement agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), or the Nigeria Police for possible prosecution.
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On the attestation signed by candidates during registration, Oloyede said it is a binding declaration that all information and documents submitted are correct and genuine. He warned that any attempt to falsify records would attract strict penalties.
According to him, the attestation was introduced following past legal disputes and now serves as a key tool for verifying academic credentials and preventing fraud.
He urged candidates to avoid submitting false information, noting that such actions could threaten their chances of securing admission into tertiary institutions.
