By Deborah Nnamdi
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced a new policy requiring all candidates registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to declare their current admission status, stating whether they are already enrolled in any tertiary institution.
The examination body said the directive follows disturbing findings from the 2025 UTME Infraction Report, which revealed that over 90 percent of candidates involved in examination malpractice were already students of various tertiary institutions.
“Beginning with the 2026 UTME registration, every candidate will be required to make a clear declaration regarding their current studentship status,” JAMB stated.
According to the Board, the move is aimed at strengthening the integrity of the examination and curbing impersonation and other fraudulent practices. JAMB emphasized that the UTME is strictly meant for candidates seeking fresh admission into tertiary institutions and not for those already enrolled elsewhere.
The Board warned that failure to disclose one’s admission status or providing false information would attract severe penalties, including withdrawal of admission, cancellation of registration, and possible prosecution under existing laws.
JAMB also reminded prospective candidates that uploading their O’level results remains a mandatory requirement for admission. With the release of the 2025 WAEC SSCE results, candidates have been urged to upload their results without delay, while those awaiting NECO results are expected to do so immediately after release. The Board maintained that no applicant will be considered for admission without a verified O’level record.
“This directive serves as an early notice to all prospective candidates and the general public that the Board will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the integrity of the admission process,” JAMB stated.
In a related development, the Federal Government has approved a three-year ban for any student caught engaging in examination malpractice across all national external examinations, including JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said enforcement will be anchored on candidates’ National Identification Numbers (NIN) to ensure offenders cannot evade sanctions. He added that schools and Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres found aiding malpractice or operating as “miracle centres” risk being derecognised for several years.
JAMB reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining transparency, fairness, and credibility in Nigeria’s tertiary admission process, while upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
