The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has officially commenced nationwide, with over 2.2 million candidates participating across various accredited centres.
Organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the examination will run from April 16 to April 22, featuring multiple sessions each day to accommodate the large number of candidates.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has urged examination officials to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and commitment, noting that the overall success of the exercise depends heavily on their performance.
He delivered this message during a virtual final briefing with technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in ensuring a successful mock exercise.
Oloyede, however, pointed out that some of the issues encountered during the mock exam were due to inadequate centre assessments by certain technical officials. He emphasized the need for improved diligence going forward.
To encourage excellence, he revealed that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that demonstrate outstanding performance, particularly in the timely handling of examination materials and submission of reports.
Reaffirming JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice, Oloyede warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into exam halls. He highlighted the deployment of advanced technologies, including biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems, to maintain the integrity of the examination process.
The UTME remains one of Nigeria’s largest and most complex educational operations, requiring extensive coordination of logistics, personnel, and technology nationwide.
