More than two million candidates are participating in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which commenced nationwide on Thursday under tight security and enhanced monitoring systems.
The examination, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), is being held across accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide.
According to the board, a total of 2,243,816 candidates registered for this year’s UTME, marking a 10.5 percent increase from the 2.03 million recorded in 2025.
To ensure a smooth process, the examination is divided into four daily sessions. JAMB has also deployed biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems to maintain the integrity and credibility of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometric data cannot be verified will be rescheduled to take the examination at designated centres.
JAMB advised all candidates to print their examination slips from its official portal to confirm their exam details, including date, time, and venue. Candidates are also required to arrive at least one hour before their scheduled sessions.
In a revised timetable released ahead of the exercise, first-session candidates are expected at 7:00 a.m., second-session candidates at 9:00 a.m., third-session candidates at 11:00 a.m., while the final session begins at 2:00 p.m.
The board confirmed that candidates were notified through SMS, email, and their online profiles.
Data from the registration process shows that Lagos State recorded the highest number of candidates with 381,814. This is followed by Ogun State with 137,156, Oyo State with 122,662, Kaduna State with 103,498, and the Federal Capital Territory with 102,961 candidates.
Other notable figures include Rivers State with 105,584 and Kano State with 83,167, while Borno and Zamfara states recorded the lowest numbers.
Outside Nigeria, participation remains low, with Côte d’Ivoire leading with 32 candidates, followed by Equatorial Guinea, Burkina Faso, and the United Kingdom.
To improve accessibility, JAMB increased the number of CBT centres to about 1,000 nationwide. However, the board delisted 23 centres across several states due to technical issues observed during the mock UTME.
The affected states include the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Edo, and Plateau.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has assured candidates of adequate security throughout the examination period.
The police dismissed reports of insecurity at some centres, describing them as unfounded. However, it acknowledged public concerns and confirmed the deployment of additional personnel, including patrol teams, surveillance units, and rapid response squads nationwide.
Authorities stated that security agencies are working together to monitor and address potential threats during the examination.
Candidates and parents have been urged to disregard unverified information on social media and rely on official communication channels.
JAMB also reiterated its warning against illegal admissions, stressing that any admission conducted outside its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) will not be recognised.
The board reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and fairness in Nigeria’s tertiary admission process.
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