Registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) officially commenced on Monday, January 26, as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) cautioned candidates that failure to adhere strictly to its regulations may result in outright disqualification.

The Board noted that a significant number of candidates lose their chances of university admission annually, not due to poor academic performance, but as a result of avoidable breaches of examination and registration rules.

Speaking in Lagos, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, formally announced the registration schedule and advised prospective candidates to thoroughly study the UTME guidelines before initiating their registration. According to him, a clear understanding of the rules remains the most reliable safeguard against sanctions during both the registration and examination stages.

To ensure eligibility for the 2026 UTME, JAMB highlighted nine critical rules candidates must strictly observe:

1. Registration Period
Registration via the ePIN platform runs from January 26 to February 28. Candidates who fail to complete their registration within this period will be ineligible to sit for the examination.

2. Minimum Age Requirement
Candidates must be at least 16 years old by September 30. Underage candidates may only have their results considered after a comprehensive age waiver evaluation and must attain a minimum score of 80 per cent in the required assessments.

3. Disclosure Of Previous Admission History
All candidates are required to declare any prior JAMB registration or admission history. Non-disclosure constitutes an offence and attracts disqualification, as candidates are prohibited from running multiple undergraduate programmes simultaneously.

4. Mandatory Biometric Verification
Biometric verification is compulsory for all candidates both before and after the examination. This measure is aimed at curbing impersonation and identity-related fraud.

5. Fingerprint Authentication At Examination Centres
Candidates must undergo fingerprint verification before gaining access to the examination hall. Any candidate whose fingerprint cannot be authenticated will not be allowed to sit for the examination.

6. Punctuality At Examination Centres
Candidates are expected to arrive at their designated centres well before the scheduled commencement time. Late arrival may result in denial of entry.

7. Strict Adherence To Invigilators’ Instructions
Candidates must comply fully with all directives issued by examination officials. Failure to do so may attract disciplinary measures.

8. Zero Tolerance For Examination Malpractice
JAMB maintains a strict stance against all forms of malpractice. Candidates found copying, colluding, or communicating unlawfully during the examination will be disqualified.

9. Verification Of Registration Details
Candidates are required to carefully confirm the accuracy of their personal details, including names and dates of birth, and must present a printed examination slip at the CBT centre on the examination day.

Additionally, prospective candidates are reminded that possession of a valid National Identification Number (NIN), a functional email address, and other stipulated requirements is mandatory for successful registration.