JAMB Clarifies: Undergraduates Eligible to Register for 2026 UTME/DE, Disclosure Is Mandatory

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified that undergraduate students are not barred from registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) or Direct Entry (DE), contrary to persistent misinformation circulating in the public space.

JAMB stated that candidates already enrolled in tertiary institutions are permitted to apply for the UTME/DE, provided they make full and honest disclosure of their existing matriculation status at the point of registration, as stipulated in the 2026 UTME/DE advertisement.

According to the Board, the disclosure requirement is strictly for regulatory and record-keeping purposes, aimed at preventing multiple admissions. Under existing regulations, a candidate cannot lawfully hold two admissions simultaneously. Once a candidate secures a new admission through the UTME/DE process, any previous admission automatically lapses.

JAMB warned that failure to disclose an existing matriculation status constitutes an offence. While the Board’s system is capable of detecting prior admissions, candidates who deliberately conceal such information risk losing both their current and prospective admissions.

The Board cautioned candidates and parents against misleading narratives promoted by individuals it described as self-styled education advocates who distort official policies for personal gain. It advised the public to rely solely on official JAMB guidelines and publications for accurate information on admissions procedures.