The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Ishaq Oloyede, has said the ongoing 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has recorded only minor disruptions across the country.
Oloyede disclosed this during a monitoring visit to Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in Oyo State, including the University of Ibadan centre, where he assessed the conduct of the examination.
According to him, the exercise has been largely seamless, with only a handful of centres encountering issues.
“Out of about 980 centres nationwide, we have recorded issues in only about 16 centres, mostly relating to power supply and minor technical glitches,” he said.
The registrar noted that despite initial concerns, over 1.7 million candidates had successfully taken the examination within three days, describing the overall process as efficient and well-coordinated.
He commended the role of key stakeholders, including vice-chancellors, rectors and examination officials, for ensuring smooth operations across centres nationwide.
On security concerns, particularly reports linking recent kidnapping incidents to UTME candidates, Oloyede cautioned against misinformation.
“It is unfortunate that people were kidnapped, but linking such incidents to JAMB without evidence complicates security efforts. The priority should be their safe rescue,” he said.
Addressing complaints about early arrival at examination venues, the JAMB boss clarified that while candidates are required to arrive early for accreditation, examinations do not commence at 6:30 a.m.
He added that the board recently adjusted the start time from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in response to feedback.
Oloyede also reiterated that UTME scores are only one component of the admission process, alongside O-Level requirements, warning candidates and parents against falling victim to fraudsters offering to manipulate results.
“We have mechanisms to detect such fraud. Those attempting shortcuts will be identified and sanctioned,” he said, revealing that some suspects are already facing prosecution for examination malpractice.
He urged the public to report suspicious activities and assured that the board would continue to strengthen measures to ensure credible and hitch-free examinations nationwide.