The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified that candidates currently enrolled in tertiary institutions are not barred from registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) or Direct Entry (DE), contrary to claims circulating on social media.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Fabian Benjamin, JAMB Public Communication Advisor, JAMB described as misleading a distorted interpretation of its 2026 UTME/DE registration guidelines, allegedly propagated by some self-styled education advocates for personal gain. The Board said such individuals often emerge at the start of every registration cycle, spreading false narratives without properly reading or understanding official instructions.
JAMB stressed that its directive requires all candidates registering for the 2026 UTME/DE to disclose their matriculation status, where applicable, in line with its statutory mandate to prevent multiple admissions. The Board clarified that it is not an offence for a candidate to register for UTME/DE while still enrolled in an institution. However, failure to disclose an existing matriculation status constitutes an offence.
According to the Board, disclosure means that once a candidate secures admission through the new registration, any former admission automatically lapses, as the law does not permit candidates to hold two admissions concurrently.
JAMB further revealed that recent findings show some matriculated students are involved in professional examination-taking, noting that mandatory disclosure helps expedite appropriate action when such candidates are apprehended. While the Board’s system can detect prior matriculation, candidates who fail to disclose their status risk forfeiting both admissions if discovered.
The Board urged candidates and parents to be cautious of misleading interpretations and to rely solely on official guidelines for accurate information.
