As preparations gather momentum for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a strong caution to prospective candidates on the proper use of their National Identification Numbers (NIN).
The warning comes at a time when the Board is fine-tuning arrangements for the commencement of sales of application forms and the registration process for both UTME and Direct Entry (DE) examinations.
Speaking during an interactive session with JAMB’s management team, the Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, expressed concern over recurring attempts by some candidates to manipulate the registration system through identity abuse.
According to him, the use of multiple NINs by a single individual — whether for double registration, impersonation or any other deceptive practice — undermines the credibility of the examination process and will no longer be tolerated.
Prof. Oloyede stressed that JAMB’s registration framework has been strengthened to detect irregularities, warning that candidates found engaging in multiple or duplicate registrations would face severe sanctions.
The Board, in a weekly bulletin published on its website on Monday, reiterated its commitment to ensuring a transparent and credible examination system, urging candidates to comply strictly with registration guidelines.
JAMB advised all prospective candidates to safeguard their personal identification details and avoid third parties who may encourage shortcuts, noting that any breach traced to a candidate would attract full responsibility.
With the 2026 UTME approaching, the Board said integrity and adherence to rules remain essential to guaranteeing equal opportunity for all candidates seeking admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
