The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a strong warning to candidates preparing for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE), urging them to avoid biodata manipulation, multiple registrations, and identity-related infractions.
In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by the Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the examination body stressed that biodata supplied during registration would be final and unchangeable once the process is completed.
JAMB had earlier announced that the sale of UTME and Direct Entry forms for Nigerian and foreign candidates would begin on Monday, January 26, 2026, and close on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
According to the Board, candidates who complete their registration using biodata obtained from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will not be allowed to make any changes afterward for the 2026 admission exercise.
“Once a candidate completes the 2026 registration with biodata supplied by NIMC, no further changes will be entertained. No change will be tolerated,” the statement read.
However, JAMB explained that any update made by NIMC would only reflect on JAMB’s records if affected candidates initiate a data retrieval process known as RE-QUERY through TEMPL 007 during registration.
On the issue of multiple registrations, the Board made it clear that candidates are permitted to register only once. It warned that anyone who encounters an error during registration should seek official correction instead of applying again.
“Any form of duplicate registration invalidates all applications submitted by the candidate,” JAMB warned.
The examination body also frowned at the use of multiple National Identification Numbers (NINs), noting that such acts whether for impersonation, double registration, or identity manipulation would attract severe sanctions.
Emphasising biometric integrity, JAMB advised candidates to ensure that only their own ten fingers are properly captured at CBT centres.
“Only candidates whose biometric verification is successful on the examination day will be allowed to sit for the UTME or mock examination,” the Board stated.
JAMB further cautioned candidates against allowing third parties to access or manage their profiles, stressing that parents, guardians, friends, or tutorial agents are not permitted to transact on behalf of any candidate.
It warned that candidates who share their passwords, profile codes, or security details would be held responsible for any unauthorised changes made to their records.
Additionally, JAMB announced that candidates must now declare any previous admission or matriculation status during registration by providing details of earlier UTME or DE participation.
“Failure to disclose previous registration or admission, or making false declarations, will automatically invalidate the candidate’s registration or earlier admission,” the Board said.
The Board also reiterated that registration must only be done at JAMB-approved centres nationwide, warning that candidates who register elsewhere do so at their own risk.
To ensure transparency, JAMB disclosed that all registration centres would be monitored live from its headquarters.
“Any centre whose activities are not visible to the headquarters will not be paid, and such registrations may be cancelled,” the statement concluded.
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