Undergraduates can register for 2026 UTME/DE but… – JAMB

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has lamented that, despite repeated explanations, some members of the public continue to insinuate that the board bars matriculated students from registering for or taking the UTME/DE application documents.

In a statement on Friday, Public Communication Advisor (PCA), JAMB, Fabian Benjamin, described the claim as false.

According to him, JAMB does not prohibit candidates who are already enrolled in tertiary institutions from registering for the UTME/DE.

“What the Board requires, as clearly stated in the 2026 UTME/DE advertisement, is mandatory disclosure of any existing matriculation status at the point of registration,” he said.

Benjamin said disclosure is required strictly for record and regulatory purposes and to prevent multiple admissions. He said it simply means that once a candidate secures admission through the latest UTME/DE registration, any previous admission automatically ceases, as the law does not permit a candidate to hold two admissions concurrently.

He said failure to disclose an existing matriculation status constitutes an offence. “Although the Board’s system can detect prior matriculation, any candidate found to have deliberately concealed such information risks forfeiting both opportunities,” he said.

He said the board, therefore, cautions the public against misleading interpretations peddled by self-styled education advocates who thrive on distorting official policies for selfish gain. “Candidates and parents are advised to rely only on official JAMB guidelines and publications,” he said.