The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a strong clarification to intending Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates, stressing that disclosure of previous admission status is now compulsory and non-negotiable under the 2026 admission guidelines.
According to JAMB, disclosure of previous admission means that every UTME candidate must truthfully declare whether they have ever been offered admission into any Nigerian tertiary institution, regardless of whether such admission was accepted, rejected, deferred, or abandoned.
The Board explained that any admission offered through JAMB CAPS at any time in the past counts as a previous admission, even if the candidate did not resume at the institution or pay acceptance fees.
What Qualifies as Previous Admission
JAMB clarified that candidates are required to disclose if they have:
Ever been offered admission via JAMB CAPS
Accepted or rejected an admission offer
Deferred admission
Gained admission but did not resume
Are currently studying in a university, polytechnic, or college of education
The Board emphasised that failure to resume after admission does not cancel the admission automatically.
Why the Policy Was Introduced
JAMB said the policy is aimed at:
Eliminating cases of multiple admissions by a single candidate
Preventing waste of limited admission slots
Cleaning up the national admissions database
Promoting transparency and accountability in the admission process
The Board noted that several candidates in previous years secretly held multiple admissions, depriving other qualified applicants of opportunities.
Withdrawal Is Mandatory for Fresh UTME
Candidates who have been previously admitted but wish to seek a new admission through UTME are required to:
- Formally withdraw from the former institution
- Ensure the withdrawal is properly reflected on JAMB CAPS
- Only then proceed with UTME registration
JAMB warned that failure to follow this process could result in automatic disqualification, even if the candidate performs excellently in UTME and post-UTME examinations.
Consequences of False Declaration
The examination body cautioned that candidates who fail to disclose previous admission or provide false information risk:
Disqualification from the admission process
Blocking of their JAMB CAPS profile
Cancellation of newly offered admission
Possible restriction from future admission exercises
JAMB stressed that its systems are fully integrated and capable of detecting inconsistencies in candidates’ records.
Who Is Not Affected
Candidates who have never been offered admission, or those who properly withdrew from previous admissions, are not affected by the policy.
Final Warning to Candidates
JAMB advised all UTME candidates to verify their admission status on JAMB CAPS before registration and ensure full compliance with the disclosure requirement.
The Board reiterated that disclosure does not automatically disqualify candidates, but dishonesty will.
“Honesty remains the safest path for every admission seeker,” JAMB stated.