2026 UTME: JAMB adjusts candidates’ arrival time to 7am over security concerns
By Uji A. Iliyasu, Abuja
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has adjusted the arrival time for candidates sitting the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), directing them to report to their examination centres from 7:00 a.m., instead of 6:00a.m.as earlier directed, for security reasons.
JAMB disclosed this in its weekly bulletin while confirming that all arrangements had been concluded for the nationwide examination scheduled to hold from 16 April to 22 April 2026.
According to the Board, over 2.2 million candidates are expected to participate in the examination across 966 accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide.
The Board explained that the approved number of centres followed the delisting of 23 CBT centres over poor performance during the recently concluded mock UTME.
It urged candidates to print their examination notification slips, noting that the slips contain vital information including examination date, time, venue, and other details necessary for accreditation and biometric verification.
Candidates yet to print their slips were advised to visit JAMB’s official website, www.jamb.gov.ng, and click on the 2026 UTME Slip Printing link.
JAMB further assured that adequate arrangements had been made for candidates living with disabilities through the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), headed by former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Peter Okebukola.
The Board warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls, stressing that strict sanctions await anyone found engaging in examination malpractice or other prohibited conduct.
It added that advanced technology had been deployed to protect the integrity of the examination and ensure compliance with global best practices.
Announcing the revised timetable, JAMB said candidates earlier scheduled to arrive at 6:30 a.m. should now report by 7:00 a.m.
It added that candidates fixed for 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. sessions are expected to arrive by 9:00 a.m., while those billed for 12:00 noon or 1:00 p.m. sessions should arrive by 11:00 a.m. The 2:00 p.m. arrival schedule remains unchanged.
The Board urged candidates to strictly adhere to the revised timetable, adding that the changes had been communicated through SMS, candidates’ profiles, and registered email addresses.