In preparation for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has completed the screening of 924 Computer-Based Test centres across the country, the examination body announced on Saturday.

Professor Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB Registrar, made the disclosure while addressing state Commissioners for Education during an interactive session held in Lagos, explaining that the centres would undergo final testing before receiving full accreditation to participate in the upcoming UTME.

According to Professor Oloyede, the board conducted a rigorous accreditation exercise to verify the suitability of each CBT centre for conducting its examination. "Prior to the commencement of the registration exercise, the board conducts an accreditation exercise to check the suitability of each CBT centre for the conduct of its examination. A rigorous accreditation exercise of the CBT centres has been carried out for the 2026 UTME," he stated.

The accreditation team comprised chief external examiners including vice chancellors, rectors and provosts, alongside technical advisers, JAMB state coordinators and technical officers from the board. Professor Oloyede emphasized the board's determination to eliminate examination malpractice and other irregular practices.

The JAMB chief explained that the meeting with education commissioners aimed to strengthen collaboration between the examination body and state authorities while improving operational planning to ensure smooth registration and examination processes. "It is also to share JAMB's vision, policies and strategies for the 2026 exercise, including new measures to strengthen integrity and efficiency. The meeting is also to obtain constructive inputs from commissioners to refine plans and improve operational outcomes, recognising their critical role in grassroots engagement," he said.

Professor Oloyede outlined the registration schedule, noting that mock and UTME candidates would complete their registration before Direct Entry candidates. UTME ePINs went on sale January 19 and will remain available until February 26, with the actual registration window opening January 26 and closing February 28 at all approved CBT centres across the nation.

Mock selection closes February 16, while Direct Entry application sales and ePIN vending commence March 2 and run until April 25. Candidates can also register at JAMB offices throughout the country.

Addressing age requirements, the registrar clarified that candidates must be at least 16 years old by September 30 to qualify for the UTME. He noted that underage candidates could only be considered under exceptional circumstances following intensive evaluation to assess their eligibility for a waiver.

"Such a candidate must have scored at least 80 per cent in each of the UTME, A-level, Post UTME, SSCE and the exceptional candidate assessment. The UTME results of the underage candidates will be released only at the conclusion of the complete evaluation process," Professor Oloyede explained.

The board stated that both the accreditation exercise and structured registration process were designed to safeguard the integrity of the UTME, boost efficiency at CBT centres and ensure compliance with national examination standards.