JAMB 2026: Examination Body Clarifies Timeline for UTME Candidates to Access Exam Centre Information
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially addressed inquiries regarding when candidates for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will receive details about their examination centres. In a statement released on Monday, March 2, 2026, the examination body confirmed that candidates will access this crucial information "in due course" through printed examination slips.
Official Communication via Social Media Platform
JAMB responded to a direct inquiry from a prospective candidate on X (formerly Twitter) who asked "Please, JAMB, how can I know my exam town?" The examination body's official account replied: "In due course, you will be required to print your examination slip contains details of your examination centre, session, date and time." This clarification comes as the 2026 UTME registration period concluded in February, with the board having received applications from more than 1.5 million candidates nationwide.
Examination Slip Details and Registration Statistics
The printed examination slips will contain comprehensive information for each candidate, including:
- Specific computer-based test (CBT) centre location
- Examination session assignment
- Date and time of examination
- Other relevant examination details
Meanwhile, hundreds of candidates have expressed interest in participating in the optional mock UTME scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026. This preparatory examination allows candidates to familiarize themselves with the testing environment and format before the main examination.
Historical Context and Admission Requirements
The UTME serves as the primary entrance examination for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. The examination is also conducted internationally in several countries including the United Kingdom, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Ivory Coast, and South Africa for foreign candidates. In 2025, over 1.9 million candidates sat for the UTME, with statistics showing that more than 70% scored below 200 out of the maximum 400 marks.
Later in 2026, JAMB is expected to convene a policy meeting where heads of all tertiary institutions will establish the national minimum tolerable UTME score (NTMUS), commonly referred to as the cut-off mark for admissions. While individual institutions maintain their preferred admission thresholds, they must agree on a national minimum standard that no institution can go below. Typically, universities maintain different cut-off points compared to polytechnics and colleges of education.
Leadership Continuity and Registration Closure
JAMB has also dismissed recent rumors regarding the supposed resignation of its registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede. The board's official spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that reports of Professor Oloyede's departure are false. Professor Oloyede, a former vice-chancellor of the University of Ilorin in Kwara State, has served as JAMB's registrar since August 2016 and continues to lead the examination body through the 2026 UTME cycle.
The 2026 UTME registration period commenced on Monday, January 26 and concluded in February, marking another significant enrollment period for Nigeria's premier tertiary education entrance examination. Candidates are advised to monitor official JAMB communication channels for updates regarding the printing of examination slips and other important examination information.
