JAMB Mandates Matriculation Status Disclosure for UTME Candidates

JAMB Mandates Matriculation Status Disclosure for UTME Candidates. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a firm clarification to Nigeria’s education sector, reaffirming a key admissions policy affecting university candidates. The board has stressed that disclosure of matriculation status is now mandatory for any undergraduate seeking to re-sit the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

According to JAMB, the directive is aimed at streamlining the national admissions database, preventing double admissions, and ensuring that limited university spaces are allocated fairly to eligible candidates.

In its weekly bulletin, the board revealed that many students already enrolled in tertiary institutions attempt to apply for UTME as fresh candidates in order to change courses or institutions—often without declaring their existing academic status. JAMB warned that this practice violates admissions guidelines and could lead to the cancellation of any new UTME results obtained under false pretenses.

Why Disclosure Is Required

JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, explained that the policy is part of the board’s broader effort to “sanitize” the admissions process. Mandatory disclosure allows JAMB to:

Track student movement between institutions
Maintain data integrity within the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS)
Prevent admission hoarding, where candidates occupy multiple slots across different institutions, denying others a fair chance

Tough Sanctions for Defaulters

The board has made it clear that the 2026 UTME registration will leave no room for ambiguity. Candidates who fail to declare their undergraduate status during registration will be treated as fraudulent applicants. Penalties may include outright disqualification from the UTME and, in extreme cases, withdrawal of the candidate’s existing admission.

JAMB has also instructed all Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres to exercise strict vigilance by confirming candidates’ enrollment status before completing registrations. A senior official emphasized that transparency is non-negotiable, noting that any student seeking to move from one institution to another through UTME must declare their status at the point of registration.

Advice for Affected Students

JAMB clarified that undergraduates dissatisfied with their current institutions or courses are not barred from retaking the UTME, provided they follow due process. The mandatory disclosure requirement is intended to properly link old and new academic records.

Candidates are advised to:

Confirm eligibility with their current institution regarding withdrawal and re-entry
Prepare accurate documentation, including matriculation numbers and institution details
Formally withdraw from their current institution once a new admission is secured to avoid database conflicts

Building a More Transparent System

The board described the policy as part of ongoing reforms to modernize Nigeria’s education framework. By tracking students from admission to graduation, JAMB aims to promote accountability and reduce recurring admission-season irregularities.

As registration for the 2026 UTME continues, JAMB urged candidates to study all guidelines carefully, warning that ignorance of the rules will not excuse violations that could jeopardize their academic future.

JAMB Mandates Matriculation Status Disclosure for UTME Candidates