JAMB Directs Candidates to Declare Educational Status or Forfeit 2026 UTME Registration

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)

JAMB Directs Candidates to Declare Educational Status or Forfeit 2026 UTME Registration

Abuja, Nigeria — January 28, 2026: The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a stern warning to all candidates registered for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), instructing them to declare their current educational status or risk forfeiting their examination registration.

In a statement released today, JAMB emphasized that accurate declaration of status is mandatory for candidates across all categories, including current secondary school students, pre-degree candidates, and those awaiting results. The board described the measure as crucial to ensuring examination integrity and proper eligibility verification.

“All candidates must log in to the JAMB portal and declare their educational status. Failure to comply will result in automatic cancellation of registration, and the affected candidates will be barred from participating in the 2026 UTME,” the statement read.

Reasons Behind the Directive

JAMB explained that the directive is designed to:

Prevent fraudulent or duplicate registrations
Ensure only qualified candidates sit for the examination
Protect the credibility and integrity of the UTME process

The board further advised candidates to review and update their personal and academic information on the portal to match their official school records. Any discrepancies or false declarations could lead to disqualification during or after the examination.

Candidates have been urged to act promptly to avoid losing the opportunity to participate in the 2026 UTME, as the board intends to strictly enforce the directive.