No fewer than two million candidates have commenced the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) across Nigeria, marking one of the largest participation figures in the history of the exercise.
The nationwide examination, organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), began on Thursday, April 16, at accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres spread across the country.
According to official data released by the board, a total of 2,243,816 candidates registered for the examination, reflecting a 10.5 per cent increase compared to the 2.03 million candidates recorded in 2025.
The examination is being conducted in multiple CBT centres, with candidates scheduled in four sessions daily.
The arrangement, authorities say, is designed to reduce overcrowding and streamline the verification process at the centres.
To safeguard the integrity of the examination, JAMB has deployed biometric verification systems alongside real-time monitoring technology.
The board explained that any candidate whose biometric details fail to verify will be rescheduled to take the examination at designated centres.
Candidates have also been advised to print their examination slips from the official JAMB portal to confirm their schedules and venues. In addition, they are required to arrive at least one hour before their allotted time.
As part of measures to improve efficiency, the board reviewed the examination timetable ahead of the exercise.
Under the updated schedule, candidates in the first session are expected to arrive by 7:00 a.m., followed by 9:00 a.m. for the second session, 11:00 a.m. for the third, while the fourth session remains fixed at 2:00 p.m.
JAMB noted that all candidates were duly informed of these changes through SMS notifications, email messages, and updates on their online profiles.
A breakdown of registration figures shows that Lagos State recorded the highest number of candidates with 381,814, followed by Ogun with 137,156, Oyo with 122,662, Kaduna with 103,498, and the Federal Capital Territory with 102,961.
Other notable figures include Rivers State with 105,584 candidates and Kano with 83,167, while Borno and Zamfara recorded the lowest numbers at 13,483 and 14,861 respectively.
Outside Nigeria, participation remains relatively low. Côte d’Ivoire recorded the highest number of foreign candidates with 32, followed by Equatorial Guinea with 16, Burkina Faso with 14, and the United Kingdom with 12.
Other countries such as Gambia, Ghana, and South Africa had fewer than ten candidates each.
In preparation for the exercise, JAMB increased the number of accredited CBT centres to about 1,000 nationwide to improve accessibility and logistics.
However, the board also delisted 23 centres across several states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Edo, and Plateau, citing technical shortcomings observed during the mock UTME.
The board said the move was necessary to uphold operational standards and maintain the credibility of the examination process.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has dismissed reports suggesting insecurity at some examination centres, describing such claims as unfounded, while acknowledging public concerns.
The police disclosed that additional security personnel have been deployed nationwide, including patrol teams, perimeter surveillance units, and rapid response squads, to ensure the safety of candidates and officials.
The force added that it is working closely with other security agencies to monitor developments and respond swiftly to any potential threats.
The security agency assured candidates and parents of adequate protection throughout the examination period, urging candidates to comply with all guidelines, arrive early, and report any suspicious activity.
The police also advised members of the public to disregard unverified reports circulating on social media and instead rely on official communication channels for accurate information.
JAMB reiterated its commitment to transparency in the admission process, warning candidates against accepting admissions outside its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
According to the board, any admission offered outside CAPS remains invalid and will not be recognised.
