The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced new measures to strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary admission process, starting with the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
According to the Board, all candidates registering for the 2026 UTME must now declare their current admission status, stating clearly whether they are already students of any tertiary institution. The directive, JAMB said, follows widespread cases of impersonation and examination malpractice recorded during the 2025 UTME cycle.
Data from JAMB’s 2025 Infraction Report revealed that over 90 percent of candidates caught cheating were already students of universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education who attempted to manipulate the system for personal gain.
“Beginning with the 2026 UTME registration, every candidate will be required to make a clear declaration regarding their current studentship status,” the Board said, emphasizing that the UTME is meant strictly for fresh admissions.
The agency warned that any student who hides or falsifies their admission status would face severe penalties, including withdrawal of previous admission, cancellation of registration, and possible prosecution.
JAMB also reiterated that the upload of O’level results remains a compulsory condition for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions. With the release of the 2025 WAEC SSCE results, the Board urged candidates to upload theirs immediately, while those awaiting NECO results must do so once available. Candidates without verified O’level records will not be considered for admission.
According to JAMB, these new measures are part of a broader plan to restore credibility and fairness to Nigeria’s admission process, ensuring transparency, integrity, and accountability across all stages.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has reinforced its stance against exam malpractice by approving a three-year ban for any student caught cheating in national external examinations, including JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, explained that enforcement would be tied to candidates’ National Identification Numbers (NINs), preventing offenders from evading punishment. Schools and Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres found aiding malpractice risk being derecognised for several years.
These reforms not only aim to sanitise Nigeria’s education system but also send a strong message to students and educational operators about the importance of honesty, accountability, and discipline, values that form the foundation of a credible workforce and sustainable national growth.
