The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has addressed what it described as misleading distortions of its directives to candidates registering for the 2026 UTME/DE examination, accusing some self-styled education advocates of deliberate misrepresentation for parochial interests.

In a statement, JAMB explained that its attention was drawn to unfortunate misinterpretations of a portion of the Board's clear directives as contained in the 2026 UTME/DE advertisement. The Board noted that this development is hardly surprising, as such individuals routinely surface at the commencement of every registration cycle.

"Many of them do not take the time to read or properly understand the guidelines, yet hastily rush to the public space with false narratives aimed solely at attracting traffic to their social media platforms. Had they read the instructions, they would have found them unambiguous and straightforward," the statement read.

For clarification and record purposes, JAMB stated that in line with its statutory mandate to prevent multiple matriculations, the Board directed all candidates registering for the 2026 UTME/DE to disclose their matriculation status, where applicable.

According to the Board, it is not an offence for a candidate to register for the UTME/DE while still enrolled in an institution. However, failure to disclose such status constitutes an offence. Disclosure simply means that once a candidate secures admission through the latest registration, the former admission automatically ceases to subsist.

JAMB emphasized that the law is explicit that no candidate is permitted to hold two admissions concurrently. The Board revealed that recent findings indicate many matriculated students are engaged as professional examination takers, adding that mandatory disclosure expedites appropriate action whenever such candidates are apprehended.

Although the Board's system has the capacity to detect prior matriculation, JAMB warned that any candidate discovered to have failed to disclose such status stands the risk of forfeiting both opportunities.

The Board urged the public to be cautious of so-called education advocates who are perpetually eager to mislead candidates and parents for selfish gain. Members of the public are advised to carefully read official guidelines and avoid accepting distorted interpretations wholesale.