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JAMB to Allow Candidates Use Personal Computers for UTME from 2027

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BREAKING: JAMB Releases 279 Withheld UTME Results After Malpractice Review

JAMB to Allow Candidates Use Personal Computers for UTME from 2027

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to introduce a “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) option for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) beginning from 2027 as part of efforts to improve examination efficiency and reduce technical problems experienced at Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja.

According to Oloyede, candidates will be allowed to use their personal laptops or computers for the examination under a controlled system designed to preserve the integrity and security of the UTME process.

He explained that a specially configured flash drive and other security mechanisms would be deployed to restrict unauthorised access, prevent malpractice and ensure candidates cannot tamper with the examination platform during the test.

“Candidates would be allowed to use their personal devices for the examination, but a flash drive would be inserted to prevent malpractice,” Oloyede stated.

The JAMB registrar said the initiative was introduced to make the examination process more convenient, reliable and cost-effective for both candidates and the examination body.

According to him, the move would also address frequent complaints by candidates about malfunctioning computers and sudden system shutdowns at CBT centres during examinations.

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Oloyede noted that many candidates perform better on devices they are already familiar with, adding that the BYOD option would reduce anxiety associated with using unfamiliar systems during the high-stakes examination.

He further explained that the board was developing additional technological safeguards ahead of the 2027 rollout to ensure that the system meets global examination standards and remains resistant to cyber threats or examination fraud.

The planned reform forms part of JAMB’s broader digital transformation strategy aimed at improving the credibility, efficiency and transparency of Nigeria’s tertiary admission process.

In recent years, JAMB has introduced stricter examination monitoring systems including biometric verification, IP address tracking, candidate login restrictions and real-time surveillance at accredited CBT centres to curb examination malpractice.

The registrar also disclosed that the board had continued to sanction CBT centres found guilty of violating examination guidelines, while several centres were delisted during the 2026 UTME exercise over technical and ethical breaches.

During the same policy meeting, JAMB announced top performers in the 2026 UTME examination.

According to Oloyede, John Ayuba Enwere emerged as the overall best candidate with a score of 372.

Enwere, who sat for the examination in Lagos State, selected Nile University as his first-choice institution and intends to study Computer Science.

Ayomide Bamisile from Ondo State emerged as the third-best candidate with a score of 369 and chose the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) as his preferred institution to study Software Engineering.

JAMB also used the meeting to discuss admission benchmarks, institutional capacities and reforms aimed at improving fairness and transparency in the admission process across Nigerian tertiary institutions.

The UTME remains Nigeria’s primary entrance examination for admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, with over two million candidates sitting for the examination annually.

JAMB to Allow Candidates Use Personal Computers for UTME from 2027

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Education

2026 BECE Results Out as NECO Announces Re-sit Dates

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2026 BECE Results Out as NECO Announces Re-sit Dates

2026 BECE Results Out as NECO Announces Re-sit Dates

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially released the results of the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), with a total of 186,291 candidates participating in the examination conducted across Nigeria and five foreign countries.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, following the successful conclusion of the 2026 BECE Award Committee Meeting held at the Council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State.

According to NECO, candidates sat for examinations in 12 subjects during the exercise, which took place between April 20 and April 30, 2026.

The examination body stated that the release of the 2026 BECE results followed the approval of the Award Committee after reviewing reports on the conduct of the examination, the marking process, and the compilation of candidates’ scores.

The Award Committee meeting was chaired by Dr Folake Olatunji-David, Director of Basic Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, who represented the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.

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Speaking at the meeting, Olatunji-David expressed satisfaction with the procedures leading to the successful conduct of the examination and the release of the results, commending NECO for maintaining standards in the administration of the assessment.

The meeting was attended by NECO management officials, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, and selected secondary school principals from across the country.

The Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) serves as the final assessment for students completing Junior Secondary School education and is a key requirement for placement into Senior Secondary School One (SSS1).

Meanwhile, the Award Committee approved July 22 and July 23, 2026, for the conduct of the BECE Re-sit Examination in Mathematics and English Studies.

NECO explained that the re-sit examination is specifically designed for candidates with conditional deficiencies in either Mathematics, English Studies, or both subjects.

According to the Council, the initiative provides affected candidates with an opportunity to correct deficiencies and obtain the certification required for progression into senior secondary school without repeating an academic year.

The examination body noted that the re-sit policy remains part of its efforts to support students facing challenges in core subjects while ensuring they continue their educational journey without unnecessary setbacks.

Education stakeholders have welcomed the move, describing it as a practical intervention that offers deserving students a second chance to meet admission requirements into SSS1.

NECO urged candidates, parents, and school administrators to access the results through approved channels and ensure all result details are properly verified.

The Council also reaffirmed its commitment to conducting credible and transparent examinations through improved assessment processes, enhanced monitoring systems, and strict compliance with examination regulations.

With the release of the NECO BECE 2026 results, thousands of students across Nigeria can now proceed with preparations for their transition into senior secondary education, while eligible candidates prepare for the upcoming re-sit examination.

2026 BECE Results Out as NECO Announces Re-sit Dates

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Teachers’ Union Demands Safe Rescue of Victims Before Schools Reopen in Oyo

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Teachers’ Union Demands Safe Rescue of Victims Before Schools Reopen in Oyo

Teachers’ Union Demands Safe Rescue of Victims Before Schools Reopen in Oyo

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State has declared that public schools across the state will remain closed until the government puts in place strong and verifiable security measures to protect both teachers and students following the recent mass abduction in Oriire Local Government Area.

The union said the decision followed the May 15 attack in which armed men invaded schools in parts of Oriire, abducting more than 40 students and teachers and killing at least two educators, an incident that has deepened fear and disrupted academic activities across the state.

The Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (Nigeria Union of Teachers) said the worsening insecurity forced its members to withdraw from classrooms indefinitely, warning that schools have become unsafe for both learners and educators. According to the union, the strike was not declared immediately after the attack. It said it initially engaged relevant authorities in hopes of a swift response but later concluded that the security situation had not improved enough to guarantee a safe return to classrooms.

Speaking in Ibadan, NUT Secretary, Mr. Olukayode Salami, said the reopening of schools now depends on two major conditions: the safe rescue of all abducted victims and the implementation of effective preventive security measures to stop future attacks. He said teachers would not return to classrooms until there is clear evidence of improved protection in vulnerable communities, especially in rural areas that have become frequent targets of attacks. Salami added that the emotional and psychological impact of the abduction has made it difficult for teachers to continue normal academic activities, noting that fear and panic have taken over many school environments.

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The union urged the government to urgently strengthen school security, especially in high-risk communities, stressing that educational institutions must no longer be treated as soft targets. It also called for increased security patrols, intelligence gathering, and joint operations involving conventional security agencies and local security groups to prevent further attacks. Salami stressed that the responsibility of protecting lives and property rests with the government, insisting that visible security presence is necessary to restore confidence among teachers, students, and parents.

The union disclosed that it has held several meetings with government officials and security stakeholders, leading to agreed action plans aimed at improving school safety across the state. However, it said it is still awaiting full implementation of these measures, particularly in vulnerable local government areas close to forested regions where recent attacks occurred.

As a result of the ongoing strike and security concerns, many schools in affected areas remain shut indefinitely, with no official timeline yet for reopening. Stakeholders have warned that academic activities may not resume fully until the government demonstrates clear commitment to securing schools and restoring public confidence. The union maintained that while schools cannot remain closed forever, safety must come before academic calendars.

Teachers’ Union Demands Safe Rescue of Victims Before Schools Reopen in Oyo

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Kwara Poly Suspends Lecturer for Flogging IJMB Exam Candidates

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Kwara Poly Suspends Lecturer for Flogging IJMB Exam Candidates

Kwara Poly Suspends Lecturer for Flogging IJMB Exam Candidates

The management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin (Kwara Poly) , has suspended a lecturer captured in a viral video physically assaulting candidates of the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) programme during an examination exercise on the institution’s premises. The suspension followed public outrage after the video surfaced on social media on Monday, June 22, 2026, showing the lecturer caning candidates who were kneeling with their hands raised while taking turns to receive strokes of the cane on their palms. The footage triggered widespread criticism from Nigerians, many of whom condemned the use of corporal punishment in a tertiary institution and demanded disciplinary action against the lecturer involved.

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President, Akinteye Babatunde, strongly condemned the incident, insisting that students should not be subjected to physical punishment under any circumstances. In a statement shared on social media, he wrote: “A lecturer in Kwara State Polytechnic asked IJMB students to kneel down, and he beat them up with a cane. Such an act is condemnable. Students are not animals and should never be treated as such. There are different ways to punish erring students, not beating them up.” Babatunde further called on the institution’s management to investigate the matter and impose sanctions where necessary, noting that “as much as students must never assault lecturers or act rudely to them, lecturers don’t also have the right to assault students” . His remarks resonated with many Nigerians who took to social media to express their outrage and demand justice for the affected candidates.

Responding to the controversy, the institution, through a statement issued on Monday by its Public Relations Officer, Hajia Halimat Garba, clarified that those captured in the video were not regular students of the polytechnic but candidates of the IJMB programme who had arrived late for their ongoing examinations. The statement read: “The attention of Kwara State Polytechnic Management has been drawn to a viral video circulating on social media in which a lecturer is seen physically reprimanding students. The Management wishes to clarify that the students depicted in the video are not Polytechnic students but rather IJMB (Interim Joint Matriculation Board) candidates who arrived late for their ongoing examinations.” This clarification, however, did little to quell public anger, as many argued that the status of the students did not justify the use of physical force.

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While noting that the circumstances surrounding the lecturer’s action were still being investigated, the institution condemned the method adopted, describing it as wholly inappropriate and contrary to the polytechnic’s values. The management stated: “While the intention for which the action was done is not yet known, we must emphasize that the approach taken was wholly inappropriate, as the Polytechnic stands firmly against any form of violence or physical punishment as a means of discipline.” The institution reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a learning environment built on mutual respect and positive engagement, adding that “we believe that education should be rooted in respect, understanding, and constructive guidance, and that there are far more effective and humane ways to instill important values in students.”

However, some context has emerged regarding the incident. A staff member of the institution, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Legit.ng that the students involved were IJMB examination candidates who had repeatedly ignored warnings about lateness. The staff member explained that examination officials were under pressure to maintain order and ensure compliance with regulations, adding that “the Director was under pressure to ensure order and compliance with examination procedures so that affected students would not be completely denied the opportunity to sit for their papers.” Defending the lecturer’s character, the source added: “Those who know the Director personally can attest to his commitment to students’ academic success and welfare over the years. The scenario was a fatherly act to save the students.” This defence, however, was met with further criticism, with many arguing that corporal punishment is an outdated and unacceptable method of discipline in any educational setting.

Consequently, the polytechnic announced the immediate suspension of the lecturer from his duties pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation into the incident. The management stated: “The Polytechnic Management therefore suspends the concerned lecturer from his duties henceforth, pending the outcome of the findings on this matter.” The institution acknowledged the concerns raised by stakeholders and assured the public that the matter was being taken very seriously. “We appreciate the concerns raised by stakeholders regarding this incident and assure the public that the matter is being taken very seriously.”

The institution also reiterated its commitment to the integrity and values for which it is known, adding that necessary steps would be taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the future. “In light of this incident, the Management wishes to express its sincere confidence to the public in the integrity and values for which Kwarapoly is known. We are determining the necessary steps to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the future.”

The incident has renewed debates over acceptable disciplinary practices in Nigerian educational institutions, with many stakeholders calling for measures that prioritize respect, accountability, and student welfare. As the investigation continues, all eyes remain on Kwara State Polytechnic to see what further actions will be taken against the lecturer and what policies will be implemented to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.

Kwara Poly Suspends Lecturer for Flogging IJMB Exam Candidates

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