The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has disclosed plans to deploy 1,039 Computer-Based Test centres for the conduct of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination across Nigeria.
The Registrar of the Board, Professor Is’haq Oloyede, made this known in Ilorin during an ongoing nationwide accreditation exercise for CBT centres. He explained that the process is part of JAMB’s annual efforts to maintain examination standards and safeguard the integrity of the UTME.
According to him, 52 accreditation teams have been constituted to inspect centres, with the mandate to either revalidate, approve, or disqualify facilities that fail to meet the required benchmarks. He noted that approval in previous years does not automatically guarantee eligibility for subsequent examinations.
Professor Oloyede stated that while the exercise has been largely satisfactory, a few centres previously linked to examination malpractice have attempted to resurface by changing identities or locations. He said JAMB has strengthened its monitoring mechanisms by working closely with the Corporate Affairs Commission to track directors of sanctioned centres using their National Identification Numbers.
He added that individuals who served as staff or proctors in centres implicated in malpractice have also been flagged, stressing that such personnel would not be allowed to participate in UTME operations elsewhere. Any centre found engaging such individuals, he said, risks outright disqualification.
The Registrar further revealed that JAMB has introduced a new measure to permanently blacklist computer systems used in delisted centres. Once such equipment is identified, it will no longer be compatible with JAMB’s examination platform, regardless of ownership transfer.
He disclosed that security agencies have been invited to investigate recent attempts to bypass these safeguards, describing such actions as violations of both JAMB regulations and national laws.
Also speaking, the Chief Technical Adviser for the Kwara accreditation team, Professor Veronica Mejabi, explained that centres are assessed based on technical and welfare-related requirements. She said core technical standards include proper network configuration, functional backup power systems, and alternative electricity sources to prevent disruptions during examinations.
She added that candidates’ comfort is also considered, with facilities such as waiting areas, adequate toilets, and surveillance systems expected to be in place to ensure a secure and orderly examination environment.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole (SAN), who led one of the accreditation teams, cautioned candidates against engaging in examination malpractice. He warned that offenders would face severe consequences, stressing that the system is designed to detect and punish dishonest practices.
