UTME Registration While In School Not An Offence — JAMB

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified that it is not an offence for a candidate to register for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) or Direct Entry (DE) while still enrolled in an institution.

The clarification followed a misconception about the board’s directives.

JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, however, noted that failure to disclose one’s matriculation status, where applicable, constitutes an offence.

“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.

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

The Board noted that its stance is aimed at preventing multiple matriculations, as the law does not permit a candidate to hold two admissions concurrently.

JAMB also warned that candidates found to have failed to disclose prior matriculation risk would forfeit both opportunities.

The statement further revealed that some matriculated students are engaged as professional examination takers, hence the mandatory disclosure requirement to facilitate action against such candidates.

“Furthermore, recent findings indicate that many matriculated students are engaged as professional examination takers. Mandatory disclosure therefore expedites appropriate action whenever such candidates are apprehended.

“Although the Board’s system has the capacity to detect prior matriculation, any candidate discovered to have failed to disclose such status stands the risk of forfeiting both opportunities,” it said.

The Board urged the public to be mindful of individuals who mislead candidates and parents for selfish gain.