2026 UTME/DE: JAMB Clears the Air on Registering While in School, Warns Against Hiding Matriculation Status
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a strong clarification on its 2026 UTME/DE registration guidelines, following what it describes as a deliberate misrepresentation circulating online.
At the center of the controversy is a viral claim suggesting that students already enrolled in universities or other tertiary institutions are barred from registering for JAMB. According to JAMB, that claim is false, misleading, and dangerous for candidates and parents.
What JAMB Is Really Saying
JAMB says candidates currently enrolled in any tertiary institution are allowed to register for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) or Direct Entry (DE) — but with one important condition:
They must declare their matriculation (enrolment) status during registration.
The Board stressed that its directive has been wrongly twisted by individuals it describes as self-styled education advocates who prioritise online traffic over accuracy.
“This pattern repeats itself every registration cycle,” JAMB noted, adding that many commentators fail to read official guidelines properly before publishing sensational interpretations that confuse candidates and parents.
What Triggered JAMB’s Statement
According to the Board, its attention was drawn to distorted interpretations of its 2026 UTME/DE advertisement, framed online as:
“You can’t be in university and still write JAMB.”
JAMB categorically rejected this interpretation, insisting that its instructions are clear, direct, and unambiguous.
The Core Directive for 2026 UTME/DE Candidates
JAMB explained that every candidate registering for the 2026 UTME or DE must disclose their matriculation status where applicable.
This directive, the Board says, aligns with its statutory mandate to prevent multiple admissions — a practice prohibited by law.
In simple terms:
You can register while enrolled
You must not hide your enrolment status
Disclosure must be done during registration, not later.
What Is an Offence — and What Is Not
To remove all doubt, JAMB made a clear distinction:
- Registering for UTME/DE while enrolled in a school is NOT an offence
- Failing to disclose your matriculation status IS an offence
JAMB further explained that disclosure means that once a candidate secures a new admission through JAMB, the former admission automatically lapses.
Two Admissions Are Illegal
JAMB emphasized that no Nigerian law allows a candidate to hold two admissions at the same time.
Candidates who fail to disclose their status and are later discovered risk losing both admissions — the existing one and the new one.
The Board warned that this consequence is not theoretical but enforceable.
Why Disclosure Matters More Than Ever
JAMB revealed that recent investigations show a growing trend of matriculated students acting as professional examination takers.
Mandatory disclosure, according to the Board, helps it take swift and appropriate action when such candidates are apprehended.
Although JAMB’s systems can detect prior matriculation, the Board stressed that candidates who attempt to outsmart the system still risk forfeiting everything.
Final Warning to Candidates and Parents
JAMB urged candidates and parents to be wary of online commentators spreading distorted interpretations of official guidelines for personal gain.
The Board advised the public to rely on official JAMB publications and to read registration instructions carefully before drawing conclusions.
Bottom Line
You can register for the 2026 UTME/DE even if you’re already in school — but you must declare your matriculation status.
Failing to do so could cost you both admissions.
You may also like to read: BSUAST IFES Orders Pre-Degree, Remedial Students to Register for 2026 JAMB, Fix O’Level Gaps
