JAMB Releases Strict 2026 UTME Examination Hall Guidelines
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has issued a comprehensive list of 23 prohibited items for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination halls. This announcement comes as part of intensified efforts to curb examination malpractice and maintain the integrity of the nationwide testing process.
Only Two Items Permitted Inside Examination Centers
According to the official 2026 UTME manual published by JAMB, candidates will only be allowed to bring an HB pencil and a copy of their examination slip into Computer-Based Test centers. The board has emphasized that any candidate found with unauthorized materials will be immediately disqualified from sitting for the examination.
Complete List of Prohibited Items
The comprehensive banned items list includes:
- Wristwatches of any kind
- Pens or biros
- Mobile phones and similar electronic devices
- Spy reading glasses
- Calculators or similar electronic devices
- USB drives, CDs, hard disks or similar storage devices
- Books or any reading materials
- Writing materials beyond the permitted HB pencil
- Cameras of any type
- Audio recorders
- Microphones
- Earpieces and listening devices
- Ink or pen readers
- Smart lenses
- Smart rings or jewelry
- Smart buttons
- Bluetooth-enabled devices
- Key holders
- ATM cards
- Erasers
- Bangles
- Rings
- Necklaces
- Wallets or purses
Strict Enforcement for Candidates and Officials
The board has issued a stern warning to all examination candidates to carefully review the prohibited items list and ensure full compliance before arriving at their designated centers. JAMB officials stated that possession of any banned item will result in immediate disqualification from the examination without exception.
Importantly, the prohibition extends to examination officials and authorized personnel as well. Any staff member found with prohibited items will face disciplinary action, reinforcing the board's commitment to uniform enforcement across all examination centers nationwide.
Background of Examination Integrity Measures
This directive forms part of JAMB's broader strategy to combat examination malpractice and maintain the credibility of Nigeria's tertiary education admission process. The board has been implementing increasingly strict measures following several high-profile examination fraud cases in recent years.
In a related development, JAMB recently confirmed the re-arrest of a suspected examination fraudster, Emmanuel Akataka, who allegedly resumed illegal activities shortly after securing bail. According to the Director of Special Duties, Zainab Hamza, the suspect operated under false identities and deceived 94 candidates through WhatsApp platforms promising illegal score manipulation services.
Additionally, a federal High Court in Katsina recently sentenced Ibrahim Abdulaziz to three years imprisonment for impersonation during the 2025 UTME examination. The court emphasized that such offenses strike at the credibility of public examinations and require firm punishment to serve as a deterrent.
JAMB officials have urged all 2026 UTME candidates to focus on legitimate preparation methods and avoid any engagement with individuals or platforms promising examination shortcuts. The board maintains that strict adherence to examination guidelines remains the only path to successful participation in the admission process.
