2026 JAMB UTME: Over 2.2 Million Candidates Face Stricter Rules, CBT Reforms Begin

The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is shaping up to be one of the most tightly regulated and highly subscribed examinations in Nigeria’s education history, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate nationwide.

The examination, which serves as the primary gateway into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, is scheduled to hold between April 16 and April 22–25, 2026, across nearly 1,000 accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country.

Massive candidate turnout pushes CBT expansion

With candidate numbers rising yearly, JAMB has expanded its CBT operations by distributing candidates across multiple daily sessions to reduce congestion and improve efficiency.

The board continues to emphasize that the UTME remains a fully computer-based examination, lasting approximately two hours, with candidates tested across four subjects depending on their chosen field of study.

Education stakeholders note that the rising number of candidates reflects increased demand for tertiary education, even as institutions struggle with limited admission capacity.

Revised reporting time for candidates

One of the most notable adjustments for the 2026 examination is the revised reporting time for candidates.

Candidates assigned to the first session are now expected to arrive by 7:00 a.m., with examinations starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending by 10:30 a.m.

READ ALSO:

• 2027: Pro-Jonathan Group Launches Campaign Urging Goodluck Jonathan to Run
• 2027: Kwara APC Stakeholders Back Bolarinwa as Kwara South Gains Political Momentum
• Victoria Inyama Says Female Circumcision Is Evil But Helped Her Sexual Discipline

This adjustment, according to examination officials, was introduced following public concerns over early-morning movement risks faced by teenagers during previous examination cycles.

Authorities clarified that candidates are not required to reprint examination slips, as previously issued documents remain valid for the 2026 UTME.

Stricter monitoring and crackdown on malpractice

In line with ongoing reforms, JAMB has intensified efforts to curb examination malpractice and technical lapses across CBT centres.

Reports indicate that about 23 CBT centres were delisted following poor performance during mock assessments, while some technical staff and operators have faced sanctions for failing to meet required standards.

The board has also strengthened its monitoring systems, with enhanced surveillance and compliance checks at examination centres nationwide to ensure transparency and fairness.

Candidates have been warned against bringing prohibited items into examination halls, with strict penalties attached to any violation.

CBT reforms and operational improvements

Recent related reforms introduced by JAMB include tighter accreditation standards for CBT centres and improved real-time monitoring systems aimed at reducing technical disruptions experienced in previous years.

Education analysts say these measures are part of broader efforts to restore public confidence in the UTME process following past complaints about system glitches and irregularities.

Mandatory requirements for candidates

JAMB has reiterated key instructions that all candidates must follow strictly to avoid disqualification.

Candidates are required to print their examination slips, which contain vital details such as exam date, venue, and time.

They are also expected to arrive early and locate their assigned centres ahead of time to avoid last-minute confusion or transportation challenges.

Authorities have warned that late arrival or failure to comply with examination instructions could result in automatic disqualification.

Disability inclusion and equal opportunity support

In a notable development, JAMB has expanded its Equal Opportunity Group programme to support candidates living with disabilities.

The initiative provides tailored assistance, including modified exam conditions and additional support systems designed to ensure fairness and equal access for all candidates.

Education stakeholders have described the initiative as a significant step toward inclusive education and equal participation in national examinations.

Growing significance of the UTME

The UTME remains Nigeria’s most important tertiary admission examination, determining entry into higher institutions for millions of candidates annually.

The 2026 edition stands out due to its record participation, tighter regulatory framework, and increased operational reforms aimed at improving credibility and efficiency.

Conclusion

The 2026 JAMB UTME is defined by scale, stricter oversight, and major operational reforms. For candidates, success will depend not only on academic preparation but also on strict compliance with examination rules, especially regarding timing, documentation, and conduct.

As the examination approaches, candidates are advised to prepare adequately, follow official guidelines, and ensure early arrival at their designated centres to avoid disqualification.

2026 JAMB UTME: Over 2.2 Million Candidates Face Stricter Rules, CBT Reforms Begin

MURIC Urges Security Agencies to Protect JAMB Candidates, Exam Centres Nationwide

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on security agencies in Nigeria to ensure maximum protection for candidates and officials participating in the forthcoming Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations scheduled to begin on April 16, 2026.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Islamic human rights organisation stressed the need for heightened security measures across all examination centres nationwide, citing growing insecurity in several parts of the country.

The statement, signed by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to collaborate effectively in safeguarding candidates and examination personnel throughout the examination period.

According to the group, the appeal became necessary due to rising security concerns in parts of northern Nigeria, where banditry, communal tensions, and violent attacks have continued to threaten public safety.

READ ALSO:

• Court Grants Bail to El-Rufai in ICPC Corruption Case
• Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads
• Bandits Kill 3, Abduct 5 in Fresh Attacks on Kogi Communities

MURIC specifically raised concerns about states such as Plateau, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kwara, warning that some of these areas remain vulnerable to attacks and mass abductions, particularly targeting young students and examination candidates.

The organisation warned that candidates travelling to and from examination centres could be at risk in volatile locations and called for “special attention” to ensure their safety before, during, and after the examinations.

It further urged security agencies to remain vigilant, noting that “eternal vigilance is the price of freedom,” and emphasised the need for proactive intelligence gathering and rapid response mechanisms to prevent any disruption of the exercise.

MURIC also highlighted the importance of securing examination venues themselves, stressing that any attack on candidates or officials would have far-reaching consequences on education and national development.

The group reiterated its commitment to advocating for peaceful coexistence and safety for all citizens, especially young Nigerians pursuing education.

The JAMB examination, conducted annually by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, is a critical gateway for admission into tertiary institutions across the country, with hundreds of thousands of candidates expected to participate nationwide.

Security agencies are yet to issue a formal response to the appeal, but authorities have previously assured Nigerians of adequate protection during national examinations and other major public exercises.

MURIC Urges Security Agencies to Protect JAMB Candidates, Exam Centres Nationwide

Lafarge Convicted of Terrorism Financing by French Court in Landmark Case

A French court in Paris has found cement manufacturer Lafarge guilty of financing armed extremist groups during the Syrian civil war, in a landmark ruling that could reshape global standards on corporate responsibility in conflict zones.

The court ruled that the company’s Syrian subsidiary made payments to armed groups, including ISIS and the Nusra Front, between 2013 and 2014, in a bid to keep its cement plant in northern Syria operational during intense fighting.

The judgment also convicted eight former Lafarge employees, including senior executives, for authorising and facilitating the transactions, marking one of the most significant cases of terrorism financing in corporate operations ever handled in France.

According to the court, the payments amounted to approximately $6.5 million, allegedly used to secure safe passage for staff, maintain supply routes, and purchase materials from areas controlled by armed factions.

Presiding judge Isabelle Prévost-Desprez said the arrangement effectively created a “commercial relationship with armed groups,” stressing that economic survival was prioritised over legal and ethical obligations in a war environment.

READ ALSO:

• Court Grants Bail to El-Rufai in ICPC Corruption Case
• Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads
• Bandits Kill 3, Abduct 5 in Fresh Attacks on Kogi Communities

The case focused on Lafarge’s Jalabiya cement plant in northern Syria, acquired in 2008 and operating shortly before the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. Investigators told the court that funds were also used to ensure the movement of employees through territories controlled by militant groups.

The ruling has been described by legal experts as a historic precedent in corporate terrorism financing law, as it is among the first instances in France where a multinational company has been convicted for directly funding armed extremist organisations.

The court also examined Lafarge’s operational structure following its 2015 merger into Holcim, which has not yet issued a detailed response to the ruling.

Prosecutors had earlier sought financial penalties and asset confiscation, but the court has yet to announce the final sentence and full penalties in the case.

The verdict follows related proceedings in the United States, where Lafarge previously admitted that its Syrian subsidiary made improper payments to armed groups and agreed to a large financial settlement in a separate investigation.

Analysts say the ruling could have far-reaching consequences for multinational companies operating in high-risk conflict zones, forcing stronger compliance systems, stricter oversight, and tighter controls to prevent indirect funding of armed groups.

The case is widely seen as a turning point in global corporate accountability, highlighting the legal risks companies face when continuing operations in war-torn regions where militant groups exert territorial control.

Lafarge Convicted of Terrorism Financing by French Court in Landmark Case