2026 UTME: False Information May Cost Candidates Admission — JAMB

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has cautioned candidates registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) against providing false information, warning that any breach could lead to severe sanctions.

The Registrar of the Board, Ishaq Oloyede, issued the warning as the 2026 UTME registration, which began on January 26, entered its third week.

Oloyede spoke while addressing media executives penultimate week, according to details contained in JAMB’s weekly bulletin released on Monday.

He stressed that registration infractions constitute serious offences, noting that candidates found guilty could be barred from sitting the UTME for up to three years.

“Registration infraction is a serious offence,” Oloyede said, adding that the names of defaulters could be published in national newspapers and circulated to other public examination bodies.

The Registrar further disclosed that offenders could also be handed over to law enforcement and anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), or the Nigerian Police, for investigation and prosecution.

On the attestation signed by candidates during registration, Oloyede explained that the declaration requires applicants to provide truthful and accurate information in their forms and supporting documents.

“Any attempt to falsify data will attract appropriate sanctions,” he said.

According to him, the attestation clause was incorporated into the registration process following lessons learned from previous legal disputes involving candidates.

He said the clause now serves as a formal verification mechanism to confirm the authenticity of academic credentials and other information submitted during registration, with the aim of curbing fraud.

Oloyede urged candidates to avoid submitting fictitious details, warning that such actions could jeopardise their chances of securing admission into tertiary institutions.