The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced June 13, 2026, as the date for the conduct of the mop-up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination for candidates who were unable to sit for the main examination due to various challenges.
The board said the mop-up exercise is specifically designed for candidates who presented themselves for the 2026 UTME and were successfully verified biometrically but could not take the examination for reasons beyond their control.
JAMB disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin.
According to the board, the decision became necessary following reports of technical difficulties encountered at some examination centres during the conduct of the nationwide examination.
Benjamin explained that while the 2026 UTME was conducted between April 16 and April 23, certain centres experienced operational and technical issues that disrupted the exercise and prevented several candidates from sitting for their papers.
“The 2026 UTME was conducted from 16th to 23rd April. However, some centres experienced technical challenges which made it impossible for many candidates to sit the examination,” the statement said.
The board further disclosed that some candidates whose results were withdrawn over examination infractions would also be included in the mop-up examination after necessary reviews and considerations.
In addition, candidates who presented themselves for the examination but could not be verified biometrically at their centres have equally been scheduled to participate in the mop-up exercise.
JAMB stated that all affected candidates had already been identified and listed for the examination.
The board reassured candidates and parents that the mop-up examination is part of efforts to ensure that no qualified candidate is unfairly denied the opportunity to participate in the admission process because of technical or administrative challenges.
Education stakeholders had earlier raised concerns over complaints from candidates who experienced disruptions during the main UTME, particularly in centres where computer systems malfunctioned or network-related problems delayed examinations.
Some candidates reportedly spent long hours at examination venues without being able to complete their tests due to system failures, power interruptions, and biometric verification issues.
The development generated anxiety among candidates and parents who feared that the affected students might lose their chances of gaining admission into tertiary institutions for the 2026 academic session.
However, JAMB’s announcement of a mop-up examination has been welcomed by many stakeholders, who described it as a fair and responsible response to the challenges encountered during the exercise.
The board reiterated its commitment to transparency, fairness, and the integrity of the examination process, stressing that adequate arrangements had been made to ensure a smooth conduct of the mop-up examination.
It advised affected candidates to regularly check their profiles, registered email addresses, and official communication channels for details regarding their examination centres and schedules.
JAMB also urged candidates to print their examination notification slips ahead of the exercise and ensure strict compliance with all examination guidelines.
The board warned candidates against engaging in examination malpractice or patronising fraudsters who may attempt to exploit the situation by offering fake assistance or promises of score upgrades.
It maintained that the board operates a transparent examination process driven by strict security measures and technological monitoring systems aimed at preserving the credibility of the UTME.
Over the year, JAMB has continued to introduce various reforms to improve examination administration, reduce malpractice, and enhance the efficiency of the admission process into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The use of biometric verification, computer-based testing, and centralised monitoring systems has significantly transformed the conduct of the examination across the country.
Despite these improvements, occasional technical glitches and operational challenges still occur in some centres, especially during large-scale nationwide examinations involving millions of candidates.
Education experts say the mop-up examination demonstrates the board’s willingness to address genuine concerns and ensure inclusiveness in the admission process.
Parents and candidates have also appealed to the board to strengthen its technical infrastructure and monitoring systems in order to minimise future disruptions during examinations.
Some stakeholders further called for improved supervision of accredited centres to ensure that facilities meet the required standards before being approved for the conduct of UTME.
As preparations intensify for the June 13 mop-up examination, affected candidates are expected to take advantage of the opportunity to complete their participation in the 2026 UTME exercise.
The examination remains one of the most important requirements for admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria, making the mop-up exercise crucial for thousands of candidates seeking placement into higher institutions.
