More than 2.2 million candidates across Nigeria begin the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) today, marking the start of one of the country’s most extensive and carefully coordinated academic exercises.
Organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, the examination will run from April 16 to April 22. Spread over seven days, the schedule is designed to manage the large number of candidates while maintaining order, efficiency, and credibility across hundreds of accredited centres nationwide.
Rather than crowding candidates into a few days, the board has maintained a staggered system, dividing each day into multiple sessions. This approach helps reduce congestion, allows smoother biometric verification, and limits the risk of technical disruptions that could affect performance.
The opening day is particularly important, as it often reveals operational gaps that can be quickly addressed before the remaining sessions. By extending the exercise across a full week, JAMB has built in flexibility to resolve issues, reschedule affected candidates, and keep the process stable.
Preparations for the main examination were shaped by insights from the recently concluded mock UTME. The exercise exposed weaknesses in some centres, leading to the removal of 23 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres that failed to meet required standards. In addition, 11 technical officers were dropped from the exercise due to poor performance decisions that signal a stronger emphasis on competence and readiness this year.
With about 966 CBT centres participating, the logistics behind the UTME remain significant. Each centre is expected to provide functional computer systems, reliable internet access, biometric verification tools, and trained personnel. Candidates have also been instructed to come with their printed examination slips, which contain essential details such as their schedule and assigned centre an effort aimed at reducing confusion and ensuring smooth coordination.
There has also been a slight adjustment to the examination timetable. Candidates for the first session are now expected to arrive by 7:00 a.m., instead of the earlier 6:30 a.m., while the exam itself begins at 8:30 a.m. The change is intended to ease the challenges many candidates face with early travel, especially in busy urban areas, while still allowing enough time for proper screening and system checks.
Technology continues to play a central role in the UTME process. From biometric verification to real-time monitoring, digital systems are being used to strengthen transparency and prevent malpractice. The board has reiterated its strict stance against examination misconduct, warning that any candidate found with prohibited items or engaging in malpractice will face serious consequences.
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Speaking ahead of the examination, the Registrar of JAMB, Is-haq Oloyede, called on officials to remain committed and diligent in carrying out their responsibilities. He noted that the success recorded during the mock examination was largely due to the dedication of personnel involved.
Oloyede commended staff, ad-hoc workers, and technical teams for their efforts, but also stressed the need for continuous improvement. According to him, many of the issues observed during the mock exercise were linked to lapses by some technical officers in properly assessing their centres before and during the test.
As part of efforts to enforce accountability, the registrar confirmed that underperforming officials had been removed, with further sanctions expected after ongoing reviews. At the same time, he revealed that high-performing teams would be rewarded based on efficiency, accuracy in documentation, and timely reporting.
He also assured that advanced technology has been deployed to curb malpractice, urging officials to remain alert, as violations can occur in different forms.
On candidates facing verification issues, Oloyede explained that affected individuals would be identified and rescheduled to take their exams at designated centres approved by the board.
As the examination begins nationwide, attention now turns to how effectively these measures will translate into a smooth and credible process for millions of candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions.
