The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has officially commenced across Nigeria, with more than 2.2 million candidates taking part in the exercise scheduled to run from April 16 to April 22 across 966 accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide.
Organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, the examination is being conducted in carefully structured daily sessions designed to manage the large volume of candidates and maintain order, efficiency, and credibility throughout the seven-day exercise.
At the Rosa Mystica Academy CBT centre in Byazhin, Kubwa, within the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, the morning session witnessed an orderly and largely hitch-free process, with candidates processed smoothly through biometric verification and admitted into examination halls on schedule.
Officials at the centre confirmed that operations commenced early, with strict adherence to JAMB guidelines, particularly on identity verification and the restriction of unauthorised materials.
A biometric verification officer, Peter Idu, reported a seamless screening exercise for the first session of the day. According to him, 236 out of 250 scheduled candidates successfully completed verification and were cleared to sit for the 8:30 a.m. examination.
He noted that the process ran without technical setbacks, describing the session as smooth and well-coordinated from the start.
Supervisory staff also echoed similar observations, attributing the success of the session to early preparation and strict enforcement of rules. Adeosun Olawola, an ad hoc supervisor at the centre, explained that candidates complied with instructions, particularly regarding the submission of prohibited items before entering the examination hall.
He added that the centre commenced screening as early as 6:30 a.m., allowing sufficient time for verification procedures ahead of the scheduled 8:30 a.m. start.
According to him, no incidents of misconduct were recorded during the session, a development he linked to early sensitisation and tight monitoring at entry points.
Preparations at the centre were also described as thorough, with technical and environmental systems reportedly functioning optimally. Olawola disclosed that a day before the examination, officials conducted a dummy run to test equipment, brief staff, and ensure readiness across all operational areas.
The UTME remains one of the largest coordinated academic assessments in the region, and JAMB has continued to structure its administration to reduce congestion, improve efficiency, and safeguard the integrity of the process. Candidates are allocated across multiple centres, dates, and sessions to prevent overcrowding and ensure smooth delivery.
Ahead of the main examination, the board carried out a mock UTME to test operational systems and personnel readiness. Following the exercise, 23 CBT centres were delisted for failing to meet required standards, while 11 technical staff members were removed over performance concerns.
Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, had earlier urged officials to maintain high levels of discipline and professionalism, stressing that the success of the examination largely depends on effective execution at the centre level.
To further strengthen the process, the board has deployed enhanced technological tools, including biometric verification systems and real-time monitoring, aimed at reducing malpractice and ensuring transparency. It has also maintained a strict zero-tolerance policy for examination malpractice, warning that offenders will face appropriate sanctions.
In a minor operational adjustment aimed at improving candidate experience, JAMB shifted the reporting time for the first session from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., while retaining the 8:30 a.m. commencement time to allow adequate pre-examination procedures.
With examinations now underway across the country, the board continues to monitor CBT centres closely as subsequent sessions are expected to proceed over the coming days, with emphasis on stability, fairness, and technical reliability throughout the exercise.