{"id":11026,"date":"2026-02-02T10:55:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T10:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/?p=11026"},"modified":"2026-02-02T10:55:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T10:55:05","slug":"2026-utme-de-jamb-clears-the-air-on-registering-while-in-school-warns-against-hiding-matriculation-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/2026-utme-de-jamb-clears-the-air-on-registering-while-in-school-warns-against-hiding-matriculation-status\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 UTME\/DE: JAMB Clears the Air on Registering While in School, Warns Against Hiding Matriculation Status"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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<\/em> circulating online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/em>. According to JAMB, that claim is false, misleading, and dangerous<\/strong> for candidates and parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What JAMB Is Really Saying<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

JAMB says candidates currently enrolled in any tertiary institution are allowed<\/strong> to register for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) or Direct Entry (DE)<\/strong> \u2014 but with one important condition<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They must declare their matriculation (enrolment) status during registration.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Board stressed that its directive has been wrongly twisted by individuals it describes as self-styled education advocates<\/em> who prioritise online traffic over accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis pattern repeats itself every registration cycle,\u201d JAMB noted, adding that many commentators fail to read official guidelines properly before publishing sensational interpretations that confuse candidates and parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Triggered JAMB\u2019s Statement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the Board, its attention was drawn to distorted interpretations of its 2026 UTME\/DE advertisement, framed online as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cYou can\u2019t be in university and still write JAMB.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

JAMB categorically rejected this interpretation, insisting that its instructions are clear, direct, and unambiguous<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Core Directive for 2026 UTME\/DE Candidates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

JAMB explained that every candidate registering for the 2026 UTME or DE must disclose their matriculation status where applicable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This directive, the Board says, aligns with its statutory mandate to prevent multiple admissions<\/strong> \u2014 a practice prohibited by law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In simple terms:<\/strong>
You can register while enrolled
You must not hide your enrolment status<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disclosure must be done during registration<\/strong>, not later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is an Offence \u2014 and What Is Not<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To remove all doubt, JAMB made a clear distinction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n