The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has commenced nationwide, with candidates warned to comply strictly with examination rules as biometric verification and advanced monitoring systems take effect across all centres.
The examination is being conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, with more than 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
The exercise, which began on Thursday, April 16, 2026, will run until April 22, 2026, with examinations held in multiple daily sessions across the country.
The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, warned examination officials and candidates to adhere strictly to rules and regulations, stressing that the integrity of the UTME must not be compromised.
He gave the warning during a virtual briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, urging maximum professionalism in the conduct of the exercise.
Oloyede reiterated JAMB’s zero-tolerance policy on examination malpractice, cautioning candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
According to him, advanced biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed nationwide to ensure transparency, credibility, and fairness in the examination process.
He added that candidates whose biometric details could not be verified would be rescheduled to sit the examination at approved centres.
The Registrar also commended staff, ad hoc personnel, and technical partners for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock examination, noting that lessons learned would improve the main UTME exercise.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 966 CBT centres have been approved nationwide for the 2026 UTME, each required to meet strict operational standards, including functional computer systems and stable internet connectivity.
Each examination day is divided into four sessions to reduce congestion and improve biometric verification efficiency across centres.
A NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began at about 8:40 a.m.