The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued extensive warnings to candidates taking part in the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry registration process regarding biodata integrity, biometric capture, and identity verification.
The Board issued a statement on Tuesday, signed by Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, warning candidates against changing their biodata after registration.
The registration for the UTME and Direct Entry forms for both Nigerian and foreign potential applicants will begin on Monday, January 26, 2026, and close on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
The Board declared, “Once a candidate completes 2026 registration with biodata supplied by NIMC, subsequent changes of biodata would not be effected by JAMB for the 2026 admission. No Change Will Be Tolerated.”
JAMB explained that updates from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) would only be applicable under certain scenarios.
“For 2026, changes in previous data by NIMC will only be updated on existing JAMB records only if the affected candidates go through a RE-QUERY process to retrieve the updated data through TEMPL 007 during 2026 registration.”
Speaking on multiple registrations, the Board stated clearly, “Candidates are not permitted to register more than once.
“In the event of any error during the registration process, such candidates are to seek correction from the Board and not to obtain a fresh application, as duplication of application vitiates all the applications.”
The board further warned against the use of multiple identity records.
It stated, “The use of multiple National Identification Numbers (NINs) by a single candidate for the purpose of double registration, impersonation, or any form of identity manipulation is strictly prohibited and will be severely sanctioned.”
The Board urged applicants to maintain biometric integrity.
“Candidates are advised to ensure that only their own ten (10) fingers are captured individually and correctly at the CBT Centre,” it noted, adding that “only candidates whose biometric verification is successful on examination day would be permitted to sit the UTME or Mock.”
The board also cautioned against third-party involvement in candidates’ profiles.
“Non-candidates, including parents/guardians or any proxy, are NOT allowed to transact any business on any candidate’s profile,” the board declared.
The statement warned that “any candidate who makes his password, profile code, or other security codes available to another person (parents, friends, tutorial teachers, fraudsters, etc.) is liable for any alteration done by such other person(s).”
Speaking on compulsory disclosure of prior admissions, JAMB said, “Candidates are henceforth required to disclose their admission (matriculation) status by indicating their previous registration details with the year of UTME/DE at the point of registration.”
It added that “any false or non-declaration of previous registration/matriculation will automatically invalidate the candidate’s registration/previous admission.”
JAMB emphasized that registration is restricted to approved centers only.
“Registration can only be done at JAMB-approved centers across the country. Any candidate who registers outside the approved centers does so at his/her own risk,” it warned prospective applicants.
The Board also announced that all registration centers would be monitored live.
It concluded, “All centers participating in the 2026 registration exercise must be monitored live from the headquarters.
“Any center whose registration activities are not viewed from the headquarters will not be paid, and such registration may be invalidated.”
