The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Monday commenced registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), introducing stringent measures to curb examination malpractice, including a policy that bars any Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre whose activities cannot be monitored remotely from participating in the registration exercise.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, announced that the registration is expected to be seamless, as measures have been put in place to ensure efficient service delivery to candidates across the country.
According to JAMB’s weekly bulletin published on its website on Monday, the measure, tagged “No Vision, No Registration, No UTME,” is part of efforts to curb registration infractions and restore the integrity of the examination processes.
Oloyede made the disclosure at a stakeholders’ meeting with Peace Monitors, Chief Technical Advisers, Chief External Examiners, as well as zonal and state coordinators involved in monitoring CBT centres during the 2026 UTME registration exercise.
The Registrar said all CBT centres participating in the 2026 UTME registration would be monitored live from JAMB National Headquarters, Abuja.
“Any centre whose registration activities cannot be viewed from the JAMB National Headquarters, Abuja, will not be paid, and such registration may be invalidated,” Oloyede warned.
He stressed that any centre that cannot be covered or viewed live from the board headquarters will not be able to register and hold 2026 UTME.
The Registrar also stressed the compulsory use of Microsoft or Digitech live cameras for UTME registration, noting that only the approved devices would be allowed for capturing the second image during registration.
He explained that the measure was introduced to minimise manipulation of candidates’ pictures, which, he said, was detected during the 2025 UTME registration exercise.
Giving specifications for approved equipment, Oloyede said all existing CBT centres must migrate to HIKVision Closed Circuit Television systems, with HIKVision recommended as the Network Video Recorder (NVR) or Digital Video Recorder (DVR).
“The NVRs must have a minimum of 16 channels to cover all areas of the examination centre,” he said.
He added that all CCTV systems must be wired, noting that wireless CCTV systems would not be permitted.
According to him, CCTV cameras must cover the examination area, verification area, holding room, walkways, examination hall, server room, as well as entrance and exit doors.
“Erring centres would be sanctioned, including possible prosecution,” Oloyede warned.
The Registrar further stated that JAMB would not bear the cost of reconfiguring CCTV routers for any centre, adding that affected centres must handle such costs before being allowed to operate.
He recalled that centres and individuals previously involved in unwholesome practices had been delisted and were currently being prosecuted, warning that the Board would not hesitate to sanction any centre or individual found culpable of examination malpractice.
While speaking at the meeting with key stakeholders, Oloyede disclosed the registration fees, timelines and other details about the exercise.
According to the Registrar, UTME registration for candidates, including those from foreign countries, will run from Monday, January 26, 2026, to Saturday, February 28, 2026.
He said e-PIN vending for the UTME began on Monday, January 19, 2026, and will end on Thursday, February 26, 2026, while registration will officially close on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
For Direct Entry (DE) candidates, Oloyede said the sale of 2026 DE application documents and e-PIN vending will commence on Monday, March 2, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
He added that DE registration will only be conducted at JAMB zonal and state offices.
The Registrar announced three categories of e-PINs for the 2026 exercise.
“There will be three categories of e-PINs: Direct Entry (₦5,700); UTME only without mock (₦7,200); and UTME with mock (₦8,700),” he said.
He explained that the charges include a UTME/DE application fee of ₦3,500; reading text of ₦1,000; CBT centre registration service charge of ₦700; CBT centre UTME service charge of ₦1,500; bank charges of ₦500; and an optional CBT mock-UTME centre charge of ₦1,500.
On examination dates, Oloyede said the 2026 UTME will be conducted from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25, 2026, while the optional mock UTME is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026.
The Registrar advised candidates with biodata issues, such as errors in names or dates of birth, or those who wish to correct their details, to do so with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) before proceeding with registration.
He stressed that JAMB would rely solely on data generated from NIMC and would not entertain corrections outside that platform.
Prospective candidates were also advised to register only at JAMB-approved CBT centres nationwide, professional registration centres and JAMB offices across the federation.
Oloyede warned CBT centre operators against engaging in fraudulent practices such as extortion and selling services above approved rates, noting that centres found culpable would have their licences withdrawn and could face prosecution.
He further cautioned centre proprietors against employing staff of questionable character, stressing that ignorance would not be accepted as an excuse, as operators would be held accountable for infractions committed by their ad hoc staff.
The introduction of the “No Vision, No Registration, No UTME” policy and the mandatory live monitoring system represents JAMB’s most comprehensive effort yet to eliminate examination malpractice and restore public confidence in the integrity of its processes.
The requirement that all CBT centres must be visible in real-time from JAMB headquarters in Abuja is expected to significantly reduce incidents of impersonation, picture manipulation, and other forms of fraud that have plagued previous registration exercises.
The compulsory use of specific camera brands (Microsoft or Digitech) and specific CCTV systems (HIKVision) demonstrates JAMB’s commitment to standardizing equipment across all centres to ensure uniform monitoring capabilities.
By placing the financial burden of CCTV reconfiguration squarely on the CBT centres rather than the board, JAMB is also ensuring that only serious and well-equipped centres participate in the examination process.
The warning that centres and individuals involved in unwholesome practices are currently being prosecuted serves as a strong deterrent to potential offenders in the 2026 exercise.
As registration officially commenced on Monday, prospective candidates are advised to ensure they register only at approved centres and to verify that their biodata with NIMC is accurate before proceeding with JAMB registration.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
________________________________________________________________________ The Law And Practice Of Redundancy In Nigeria: A Practitioner’s Guide, Authored By A Labour & Employment Law Expert Bimbo Atilola
_______________________________________________________________________
New Year Promo: Get Five Maritime Law Books For N150,000 — 63% Discount
The promotion, which commenced on January 8 and runs until February 8, 2026, offers five core maritime law books authored by Dr. Emeka Akabogu, SAN, ordinarily valued at N405,000, for just N150,000 — a 63% discount.
Interested buyers can place their orders through the following channels:
Phone: 0704 329 3271
Online Store: https://paystack.shop/aa-bookstore
Website: www.akabogulaw.com
______________________________________________________________________
