The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has directed all candidates registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) to fully declare their current admission or matriculation status, warning that failure to comply could lead to the forfeiture of both existing admissions and new examination registrations.
The examination body issued the clarification following widespread confusion and public debate triggered by reports suggesting that undergraduates were barred from registering for the UTME. JAMB, however, stated that such interpretations are misleading and do not reflect its official policy.
In a statement signed by the Board’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, JAMB explained that it is not illegal for students who are already enrolled in tertiary institutions to register for UTME or Direct Entry, especially in cases where they seek a change of programme or institution. What the Board considers a violation, according to the statement, is the failure to disclose an existing admission during registration.
JAMB stressed that the declaration requirement is a critical part of its admission process, designed to prevent candidates from holding multiple admissions simultaneously. The Board noted that Nigeria’s admission framework does not permit a candidate to lawfully maintain more than one active admission at the same time, as this undermines transparency and fairness in the system.
According to JAMB, candidates who deliberately conceal their matriculation status during registration risk serious penalties. These include the cancellation of the UTME or DE registration as well as the withdrawal of any existing admission discovered through the Board’s records. The Board explained that its Central Admissions Processing System already contains comprehensive data on admitted candidates, making it easy to detect inconsistencies.
The examination body further explained that the clarification became necessary due to the circulation of inaccurate interpretations by some commentators, which caused anxiety among students and parents nationwide. JAMB advised the public to rely only on official guidelines and verified statements issued by the Board.
The directive comes as part of the ongoing 2026 UTME registration exercise, which commenced earlier this week. JAMB reiterated that all candidates must ensure that the information supplied during registration is accurate and complete, as any false declaration could invalidate the entire process.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the clarification, noting that it reinforces accountability while still allowing flexibility for candidates seeking better academic opportunities. Parents and guardians have also been urged to guide prospective candidates to comply strictly with the stated requirements.
JAMB concluded by reaffirming its commitment to maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s admission process, urging candidates to read all registration instructions carefully and avoid misinformation circulating on social media platforms.
