JAMB debunks viral reports, says varsity students eligible for UTME registration

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says candidates currently enrolled in tertiary institutions are not barred from registering for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) or Direct Entry (DE), contrary to claims circulating on social media.

JAMB made this known via a statement issued by its spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Benjamin described the viral reports as misleading, saying the “unfortunate distortions” of JAMB’s guidelines for the 2026 UTME/DE registration were spread by some self-styled education advocates for personal gain.

Benjamin stated that while candidates who are already in universities or other tertiary institutions are allowed to register for UTME or DE, they are required to disclose their existing matriculation status during registration.

The JAMB spokesperson said the disclosure requirement is in line with its statutory mandate to prevent multiple admissions.

He noted: “For the avoidance of doubt and for record purposes, and in line with its statutory mandate to prevent multiple matriculations, the Board directed that all candidates registering for the 2026 UTME/DE must disclose their matriculation status, where applicable.

“It is not an offence for a candidate to register for the UTME/DE while still enrolled in an institution. However, failure to disclose such status constitutes an offence. Disclosure simply means that once a candidate secures admission through the latest registration, the former admission automatically ceases to subsist.

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“The law is explicit that no candidate is permitted to hold two admissions concurrently.”

Benjamin said recent findings showed that some already-matriculated students were involved in examination malpractice as professional examination takers, adding that mandatory disclosure would help authorities take appropriate action when such candidates are identified.

While noting that JAMB system can detect prior matriculation, Benjamin warned that candidates who fail to declare their status risk losing both their existing admission and any new one secured through UTME or DE.

“The Board therefore urges the public to be cautious of these so-called education advocates who are perpetually eager to mislead candidates and parents for selfish gain. Members of the public are advised to carefully read official guidelines and avoid accepting distorted interpretations wholesale,” the JAMB spokesman added.

The Star