The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to reschedule the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for candidates affected by technical issues at some Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
According to Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, the board will ensure that all affected candidates are given another opportunity to sit for the examination. He made this known during an oversight session with the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education held in Abuja on Friday, where officials monitored the ongoing UTME exercise.
Furthermore, JAMB disclosed that about 2.2 million candidates are participating in the 2026 UTME across 966 accredited CBT centres nationwide. This large number underscores the scale and complexity of conducting the examination nationwide.
However, despite the extensive preparations, the examination, which commenced on Thursday, experienced technical glitches and delays at some centres. As a result, several candidates were unable to take their exams as scheduled.
In response, Benjamin acknowledged the disruptions but emphasized that such challenges are not entirely unexpected given the nationwide scope of the exercise. More importantly, he reassured candidates that JAMB has already put measures in place, including a mop-up examination, to accommodate those affected.
He further explained that occasional technical issues can arise in operations of this magnitude. Nevertheless, the board remains committed to ensuring that no candidate is unfairly disadvantaged.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Dandutse, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, also addressed the situation. He acknowledged the difficulties experienced by candidates and emphasized the need for continuous improvement.
In addition, Dandutse assured the public that the committee will work closely with relevant stakeholders to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and overall performance of CBT centres in future UTME exercises.
JAMB’s swift response and planned rescheduling demonstrate its commitment to fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all candidates participating in the 2026 UTME.