The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has described as untrue, the claim that candidates already in universities have been barred from registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, and Direct Entry, DE.
JAMB debunked the claim on Wednesday in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, in Abuja.
“This deliberate misrepresentation is being propagated by some unscrupulous self-styled education advocates for parochial interests,” he said.
He added that in order to prevent multiple admissions, JAMB had directed that candidates should disclose their matriculation status during registration.
The spokesman explained: “It is not an offence for a candidate to register for the UTME/DE while still enrolled in an institution. However, failure to disclose such status constitutes an offence. Disclosure simply means that once a candidate secures admission through the latest registration, the former admission automatically ceases to subsist.”
He said that findings had shown that many matriculated students were engaged as professional examination takers.
He added that the mandatory disclosure “expedites appropriate action whenever such candidates are apprehended.”
JAMB, he said, warned the public to be cautious of the so-called education advocates who were perpetually eager to mislead candidates and parents for selfish gain.
He said the board urged parents to read guidelines very well and avoid accepting distorted interpretations by the so-called advocates.
