The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a strong warning to candidates against the misuse of National Identification Numbers (NINs) as preparations intensify for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) examinations.
The warning was given by the Registrar of the Board, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, during an interactive meeting with JAMB’s management team convened to finalise arrangements for the sale of application forms and the commencement of the 2026 registration exercise. The development was disclosed in JAMB’s weekly bulletin released on its official website on Monday.
Professor Oloyede cautioned that multiple or double registrations, as well as the use of more than one NIN by a single candidate, would not be tolerated. He stressed that such practices, often employed for impersonation, identity manipulation, or to gain undue advantage, constitute serious violations of examination rules and would attract severe sanctions.
“Multiple or double registrations, including the use of multiple National Identification Numbers by one candidate for any form of malpractice, are strictly prohibited and will be met with appropriate punishment,” the Registrar said.
He further warned candidates against other forms of examination misconduct, including impersonation, extortion, image blending, group registration, inappropriate movement of routers, and the donation or acceptance of fingerprints during biometric capturing.
Specifically, Professor Oloyede cautioned candidates against “donating or accepting fingers from others” to hasten the biometric process, noting that such acts undermine the integrity of the examination system. He advised candidates to ensure that all ten of their own fingers are captured correctly and individually at accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
Reaffirming JAMB’s commitment to a cashless registration system, the Registrar explained that the policy was designed to protect candidates from exploitation. He said the Board would continue with the centralised collection of all third-party fees, with weekly remittances to beneficiaries.
In a related move to enhance accountability, JAMB has directed administrators and tellers from partner financial institutions—including banks, microfinance institutions and mobile money operators—to register their NINs with the Board before participating in the e-PIN vending process.
Professor Oloyede also outlined the timelines and costs for the 2026 exercise. He disclosed that the price of the Direct Entry application documents remains N5,700, while the UTME without Mock is N7,200, and the UTME with Mock is N8,700.
According to him, UTME candidates will register before Direct Entry candidates. The sale of UTME application documents will commence on 19 January and end on 26 February 2026, while actual UTME registration will run from 26 January to 28 February 2026 at approved CBT centres. The Mock examination selection will close on 16 February 2026.
He added that Direct Entry registration and e-PIN vending will begin on 2 March and end on 25 April 2026, with registration conducted exclusively at JAMB offices nationwide.
