A total of over 2.2 million candidates have begun writing the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which officially started across Nigeria on Thursday.
The examination, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), is scheduled to run from April 16 to April 22 at accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide.
Speaking ahead of the exercise, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, charged examination officials to uphold professionalism and strict adherence to procedures, stressing that the credibility of the UTME largely depends on the integrity of those managing the process.
Oloyede issued the directive during a virtual briefing held for technical officers in preparation for the nationwide examination.
He also praised staff members and service providers for their performance during the mock examination exercise, while noting that most of the challenges recorded were linked to poor evaluation of CBT centres before approval.
According to him, the board would introduce incentive packages for teams that demonstrate exceptional efficiency, particularly in the handling of examination materials and timely submission of reports.
The JAMB boss further reaffirmed the board’s zero-tolerance policy on examination malpractice, warning candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed across centres to ensure transparency and credibility of the process.
Candidates whose biometric data cannot be verified, he added, would be rescheduled to write the examination at designated centres.
READ ALSO: UTME 2026: JAMB Adjusts Arrival Time For Candidates
The UTME remains one of Nigeria’s largest examinations, requiring extensive logistics coordination, personnel deployment, and strict scheduling.
Each examination day is divided into four sessions to reduce congestion at CBT centres and enhance verification efficiency.
About 966 centres are participating in the 2026 exercise nationwide, all required to meet strict operational standards including stable internet connectivity, functional computer systems, and trained personnel.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent who monitored proceedings at a CBT centre in Jahi, Abuja, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30am commenced slightly later at about 8:40am.
The examination continues across centres nationwide as candidates face what is widely regarded as one of the country’s most competitive academic assessments.