From Victor Osula, Abuja
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) commenced nationwide on Thursday, drawing intense public scrutiny as over 2.2 million candidates sit for the high-stakes exercise across 966 accredited centres under the supervision of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
This year’s examination is not only a test of candidates’ academic readiness but also a critical assessment of the nation’s capacity to deliver a fair, efficient, and credible admissions process at scale, amid persistent concerns over infrastructure gaps, technical reliability, and unequal testing conditions.
JAMB Registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, in a virtual final briefing to technical officers, acknowledged operational shortcomings observed during the mock examination, particularly lapses in the proper assessment and certification of some Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
While Oloyede commended staff, ad hoc personnel, and service providers for their roles in the mock exercise, his call for “maximum commitment and professionalism” underscores the pressure on officials to avoid the delays, disruptions, and inconsistencies that have marred past examinations.
At the core of this year’s UTME is the deployment of advanced biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems aimed at curbing impersonation and examination malpractice.
However, the reliance on technology has also raised concerns about potential system failures, biometric mismatches, and connectivity issues that could affect candidate participation.
JAMB’s assurance that candidates who encounter biometric verification challenges will be rescheduled offers a safety net, but for many candidates (particularly those travelling long distances), such adjustments may come with additional financial and psychological strain.
With 966 CBT centres participating nationwide, stakeholders continue to question the uniformity of compliance with operational standards.
Variations in power supply, internet stability, and technical support capacity across regions remain a significant concern, raising questions about whether all candidates are competing under truly equal conditions.
To manage the large candidate volume, the Board has divided each examination day into four sessions, a strategy designed to reduce congestion and streamline verification processes.
Nonetheless, tight scheduling leaves little room for error, increasing the risk of cumulative delays across centres.
Early field reports indicate minor but notable time slippages. At a monitored centre in Port Harcourt in Rivers State, the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. commenced at about 9:00 a.m., reflecting operational pressures that, if replicated nationwide, could affect the overall efficiency of the exercise.
In a bid to strengthen accountability, JAMB has introduced performance-based incentives for officials who demonstrate exceptional efficiency in handling examination materials and submitting reports.
While this move signals a shift towards results-driven management, it also highlights the broader challenge of maintaining consistent standards across a decentralised system involving thousands of personnel.
The UTME remains one of Nigeria’s most consequential public examinations, serving as the primary gateway to tertiary education in a system where available admission spaces fall far short of demand.
This structural imbalance continues to heighten the stakes, placing enormous pressure on both candidates and the examining body.
As the 2026 UTME progresses, the focus remains firmly on JAMB’s ability to deliver not just a completed examination, but one that meets public expectations of fairness, transparency, and efficiency. For millions of candidates, the credibility of this process is as important as the results it will ultimately produce.
