JAMB Denies 2026 UTME Postponement Rumors, Confirms Exam Dates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially refuted widespread online claims suggesting that the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has been postponed. In a statement released on Saturday, April 4, 2026, the board labeled the information as false and misleading, urging candidates and the public to disregard it. JAMB emphasized that the purported press release did not originate from the examination body and reaffirmed that all activities for the 2026 UTME will proceed as scheduled.
UTME Schedule Remains Unchanged
JAMB has confirmed that the main examination will hold as planned, maintaining the earlier announced timetable. The 2026 UTME is scheduled to take place from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25, 2026. This clarification comes amid concerns following the mock examination held on Saturday, March 28, which experienced technical disruptions at several Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Nigeria.
According to JAMB, a total of 224,597 candidates registered for the mock exercise, with 152,586 successfully completing the test across 989 centres. In response to the technical issues, the board has delisted over 20 CBT centres from its approved venues due to inadequacies, ensuring smoother operations for the main exam.
JAMB Warns Candidates Against Fraudulent Activities
The examination body has also issued a stern warning to candidates regarding fraudulent activities, particularly on messaging platforms like WhatsApp. JAMB cautioned against engaging with individuals or groups promising to manipulate examination scores, describing such claims as false and criminal. Candidates found involved in these activities risk cancellation of registration or withholding of results.
In a related development, JAMB confirmed the re-arrest of a suspected examination fraudster, Emmanuel Akataka, who resumed fraudulent activities shortly after securing bail. Operating under the false identity "Official Frederick," he ran online platforms offering illegal score manipulation services to UTME candidates.
Registration Guidelines and Key Dates
JAMB has released detailed guidelines for the 2026 UTME registration, requiring prospective candidates to have a National Identification Number (NIN) and an email address, among other prerequisites. The sale of JAMB 2026 UTME forms commenced on Friday, January 31, 2026, and will conclude on Saturday, March 8, 2026. Candidates are advised to adhere to these guidelines and stay vigilant against misinformation and scams.
