The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has directed all candidates registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and other related examinations to declare their current admission status, whether they are already students of any tertiary institution in Nigeria or elsewhere.
This new directive, according to the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, was announced in Onitsha, Anambra State, as part of the Board’s renewed efforts to curb impersonation and other forms of examination malpractice observed during the 2025 UTME cycle.
Findings from the Board’s 2025 UTME Infraction Report revealed that over 90% of candidates involved in malpractice were already admitted students of various tertiary institutions who attempted to manipulate the system for illegitimate gains.
To address this, JAMB has instructed its relevant departments to ensure that the 2026 UTME registration template includes a mandatory field requiring all candidates to provide a clear declaration of their current studentship status.
The Board emphasized that the UTME is designed primarily for fresh admission seekers, warning that any candidate who fails to disclose their admission status or provides false information will face severe sanctions, including cancellation of registration, withdrawal of admission, and possible prosecution in line with existing laws and regulations.
JAMB further assured the public that the admission process in Nigeria remains transparent, fair, and credible, reiterating its commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability in all its operations.