Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of JAMB, has charged examination officials to demonstrate maximum commitment as the Board commenced the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination on Thursday, April 16. Oloyede gave the charge during a virtual final briefing, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on the performance of technical officers and adhoc personnel. He commended staff for their dedication during the mock exercise and urged them not to relent in their duties. The examination involves more than 2.2 million candidates filing into approximately 966 Computer Based Test centres nationwide.

To ensure smooth operations, the Board adjusted the arrival time for the first session to 7:00 a.m., shifting it from the previous 6:30 a.m. schedule. The examination now commences at 8:30 a.m., a decision intended to balance operational efficiency with candidate convenience. This adjustment allows sufficient time for biometric verification and system checks, which are critical to preventing impersonation. Each centre has been assigned specific dates and sessions to prevent overcrowding and ensure that technical systems are not overwhelmed.

Reports from the 23 Technology Limited CBT Centre in NAF Valley Estate indicated a well organised process. Accreditation began early and ran for two hours. Out of 250 candidates scheduled for the first session, 223 appeared and sat for the examination. One candidate was denied entry after failing verification during the checks. The centre is managing three sessions daily with approximately 750 candidates expected in total.

In a move to uphold standards, Oloyede disclosed that 23 CBT centres were delisted following the mock examination for failing to meet performance requirements. Additionally, 11 technical officers were removed from the exercise due to poor performance. He revealed that incentives would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally well in areas such as prompt upload of materials and accurate documentation.

The Registrar warned that the Board maintains a zero tolerance stance on examination malpractice and that prohibited items are not allowed in halls. He stated that candidates who could not be verified would be collated and scheduled to sit at designated centres approved by JAMB. The examination is scheduled to end on April 25.