The directive means every prospective candidate must indicate whether they are already enrolled in any tertiary institution before completing registration. JAMB stressed that the UTME is strictly for those seeking fresh admission and not for students who are already in higher institutions.
According to the board, findings from its 2025 UTME Infraction Report revealed that over 90 per cent of candidates involved in malpractice were already undergraduates attempting to manipulate the system for personal advantage.
“Beginning with the 2026 UTME registration, every candidate will be required to make a clear declaration regarding their current studentship status,” JAMB stated, warning that failure to provide accurate information would attract severe sanctions.
These sanctions include withdrawal of any existing admission, cancellation of registration, and possible prosecution under relevant laws.
JAMB explained that the new policy forms part of its broader reform agenda to preserve the integrity of the nation’s tertiary admission system and ensure fairness in placement.
Mandatory Upload of O’Level Results
The examination body also reminded prospective candidates that uploading their O’level results remains a compulsory step in the admission process. It urged all applicants whose 2025 WAEC results have been released to upload them immediately, while those awaiting their NECO results are to do so once available.
The board reiterated that no candidate would be considered for admission without a verified O’level result on its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
“This directive serves as an early notice to all prospective candidates and the general public that the Board will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the integrity of the admission process,” JAMB emphasised.
Federal Government Backs Crackdown on Exam Fraud
The Federal Government has also approved tougher sanctions against examination malpractice, including a three-year ban on any student caught cheating in national external examinations such as JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed that the enforcement would rely on candidates’ National Identification Number (NIN), ensuring that offenders cannot evade detection or re-register under different identities.
He added that schools and Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres found aiding malpractice or operating as “miracle centres” risk being blacklisted or derecognised for several years.
Education stakeholders have described JAMB’s new policy as a bold and necessary step to restore credibility to the nation’s examination and admission processes, especially as the board intensifies its digital monitoring and verification systems ahead of the 2026 UTME exercise.