Category: Scholarships and Job Hunt

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the removal of special accommodations and registration privileges previously extended to candidates with albinism for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The Board attributed the decision to widespread abuses of the concession process, including falsification of information.

Key Decision and Rationale

JAMB cited examination malpractice and manipulation of registration procedures as the primary reasons for scrapping the special privileges earlier granted to candidates with albinism.

The Board explained that despite safeguarding efforts, some individuals used artificial intelligence and other means to pose as albino candidates to gain unfair advantage. Reports indicated that over 7,000 individuals applied under the albino category in the previous UTME cycle.

Context of the Announcement

The decision emerged from a meeting convened on Saturday in Ikeja, Lagos, where JAMB management — led by Registrar Prof. Isaq Oloyede — and Education Commissioners from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory reviewed past admission exercises.

Additional Policy Clarifications and Guidance

Faith-Based Institutions

• JAMB urged faith-based tertiary schools to clearly declare their religious affiliation up front during admissions.

• The Board warned against schools that present themselves as secular, only to later impose religious practices or injunctions on enrolled students.

Undergraduate and Repeat Candidates

• Highlighting abuse from previous UTME cycles, JAMB noted that some undergraduate students took the UTME again either to change courses or to help others gain admission.

• In one highlighted case, the candidate with the highest score was found to be a 300‑level university student. JAMB announced that future candidates must declare their academic status; those who withhold such information will be disqualified and risk losing their current admission status.

Admission Criteria Reinforcement

Registrar Oloyede reiterated how federal universities allocate their admission slots:

• 45 % on merit

• 20 % based on catchment areas

• 20 % for educationally disadvantaged states

• Remaining slots for other considerations

JAMB also encouraged states to reserve at least 10 % of slots for merit to ensure broader access for academically gifted candidates.

Underage Candidates Policy

• JAMB confirmed that the minimum age for university admission remains 16 years, with a special attestation process for exceptional cases.

• In the previous UTME cycle, although about 42,000 individuals applied under age claims, only 78 were verified and admitted after thorough evaluation.

Efforts to Curb Examination Malpractice

Other measures discussed at the meeting include:

• Prohibiting the movement of registered computers between Computer‑Based Test (CBT) centres to restrict malpractice opportunities.

• Reaffirming that candidate exam assignments reflect personal data from National Identification Numbers, challenging rumours of arbitrary postings to unintended test locations.

UTME Update and Institutional Funding

• JAMB reported that out of nearly 1.95 million 2025 UTME candidates, 974,855 have been offered admission into tertiary institutions.

• The Board also disclosed that over ₦2.4 billion had been disbursed to universities that consistently adhered to JAMB standards over the past decade. Decisions were made to reward schools that produce high‑performing candidates.

Accreditation and CBT Centre Oversight

• Accreditation teams, composed of university vice‑chancellors, rectors, and provosts from each state, are overseeing CBT centres.

• JAMB cautioned state governments against partnering with private operators that may facilitate malpractice through CBT facilities.