The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a comprehensive set of warnings to candidates participating in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) registration exercise, stressing strict compliance with biodata integrity, biometric capture and identity verification procedures.
In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Board cautioned candidates against making any attempt to alter their biodata after completing registration.
JAMB recalled that registration for the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry forms for both Nigerian and foreign applicants will commence on Monday, January 26, 2026, and close on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
According to the Board, once a candidate completes the 2026 registration using biodata supplied by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), no further changes will be entertained.
“Once a candidate completes 2026 registration with biodata supplied by NIMC, subsequent changes of biodata would not be effected by JAMB for the 2026 admission. No change will be tolerated,” the Board stated.
JAMB explained that updates from NIMC would only reflect under strict conditions, noting that changes in previous data would apply only if affected candidates go through a RE-QUERY process to retrieve updated records through TEMPL 007 during the 2026 registration.
On multiple registrations, the Board made it clear that candidates are not allowed to register more than once. It warned that any candidate who encounters an error during registration should seek correction through JAMB rather than obtain a fresh application, as duplication invalidates all applications.
The examination body also warned against the use of multiple identity records, stressing that the use of more than one National Identification Number (NIN) by a candidate for double registration, impersonation or identity manipulation is strictly prohibited and would attract severe sanctions.
Emphasising biometric integrity, JAMB advised candidates to ensure that only their own ten fingers are correctly captured individually at the CBT centres. It added that only candidates whose biometric verification is successful on the examination day would be allowed to sit for the UTME or Mock examination.
The Board further cautioned against third-party interference in candidates’ profiles, stating that parents, guardians or proxies are not permitted to transact any business on behalf of candidates.
“Any candidate who makes his password, profile code or other security codes available to another person is liable for any alteration done by such person(s),” the statement warned.
On disclosure of previous admissions, JAMB announced that candidates are now required to declare any prior admission or matriculation by indicating their previous UTME or DE registration details during registration. It stressed that false declaration or failure to disclose such information would automatically invalidate the candidate’s registration or previous admission.
JAMB reiterated that registration can only be carried out at approved centres nationwide, warning that candidates who register outside these centres do so at their own risk.
The Board also disclosed that all registration centres would be monitored live from its headquarters, adding that any centre whose activities are not visible would not be paid and such registrations may be invalidated.
JAMB urged prospective candidates to strictly adhere to the guidelines to avoid disqualification or loss of admission opportunities.