JAMB Begins Accreditation of 848 CBT Centres Nationwide Ahead of 2026 UTME
Nigeria’s top examination body has taken an early step toward the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), launching a nationwide accreditation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres to ensure credibility, safety and technical readiness.
JAMB Accredits CBT Centres for 2026 UTME
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has commenced the accreditation of examination centres for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
According to JAMB, the accreditation exercise covers 848 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Nigeria and officially began on Monday, 15 December 2025.
The update was published in JAMB’s Weekly Bulletin, released on the same day.
Oloyede Addresses Key UTME Stakeholders
JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, disclosed this during an online meeting with key stakeholders involved in the UTME process. Participants included:
- Chief External Examiners
- Chief Technical Advisors
- Zonal Directors
- State Coordinators
- Members of the Computer Professionals Association of Nigeria (CPN)
- Zonal IT Officers (ZITOs)
- State IT Officers (SITOs)
- Professional IT Officers (PITOs)
Professor Oloyede emphasized that the accreditation exercise has far-reaching consequences for UTME candidates and Nigeria’s education system.
“No centre should be approved unless it meets every requirement set by the Board,” he stressed, describing the task as a national responsibility that demands honesty, diligence and sound judgement.
Safety Advisory for Accreditation Teams
The JAMB Registrar also raised concerns about the personal safety of accreditation team members.
He advised officials to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary risks and limit movements that could expose them to danger. Professor Oloyede assured participants that adequate security arrangements have been put in place to support the exercise from start to finish.
Only Technically Ready Centres Considered
JAMB’s IT Consultant, Mr Damilola Bamiro, provided insight into the technical screening process.
He explained that only centres that successfully passed the mandatory automated system test are being considered for physical accreditation. The test evaluates whether a centre’s computer infrastructure is capable of handling UTME examinations.
Centres that failed this automated assessment were automatically disqualified and excluded from further inspection.
Strict CCTV and Power Requirements
Mr Bamiro added that accreditation teams will pay close attention to CCTV installations during physical visits.
Key requirements include:
- Hard-wired CCTV cameras only
- Use of HIKVision cameras
- Approved 16-channel configuration
- Network switches connected to an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to ensure stable operation during exams
Any centre that fails to meet these standards will not be accredited.
What This Means for UTME Candidates
The early accreditation process signals JAMB’s commitment to conducting a secure, transparent and technically sound 2026 UTME. For candidates, it reduces the risk of exam disruptions and ensures that only well-equipped centres are used nationwide.
You may also like to read: JAMB unveils simplified 2026 UTME registration process — here’s what every candidate must know
