JAMB 2026: Full List of 23 Items Prohibited in the UTME Hall
- JAMB released a list of 23 prohibited items for the 2026 UTME, warning candidates that possession of any would lead to disqualification
- The board stated that only an HB pencil and exam slip were allowed into the examination hall as part of efforts to curb malpractice
- Authorities also warned that officials found with banned items would face sanctions, reinforcing strict compliance across all centres
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released a strict list of items banned from the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) halls.
Candidates have been advised to comply fully with the guidelines to avoid disqualification on examination day.
Source: Facebook
According to the board in its 2026 UTME manual, only an HB pencil and a copy of the examination slip will be permitted into the Computer-Based Test centres. Any candidate found with unauthorised materials will not be allowed to sit for the exam.
Strict rules guide 2026 UTME exercise
The prohibited items according to JAMB include:
- Wristwatches
- Pen or biro
- Mobile phones or similar electronic devices
- Spy reading glasses
- Calculators or similar electronic devices
- USB, CD, hard disks or similar storage devices
- Books or any reading or writing materials
- Cameras
- Recorders
- Microphones
- Earpieces
- Ink or pen readers
- Smart lenses
- Smart rings or jewellery
- Smart buttons
- Bluetooth devices
- Key holders
- ATM cards
- Erasers
- Bangles
- Rings
- Necklace
- Wallet or purse
JAMB warns candidates against rule violations
The board urged candidates to carefully review the list and ensure compliance before arriving at their centres. It stated that possession of any banned item will lead to immediate disqualification from the examination.
JAMB also warned that officials are not exempt from the rules. Any staff or authorised personnel found with prohibited items will face disciplinary action.
JAMB announces changes to UTME schedule
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a revision to the timetable for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The board has introduced an adjusted session structure just days before the exam begins nationwide. The examination is scheduled to start this week across accredited Computer-Based Test centres.
Source: Facebook
The updated arrangement affects daily session timings from Monday through Friday, with slight changes introduced for Friday sessions in particular.
Revised CBT timetable for examination centres
According to the new schedule announced in a post on its official X page, candidates will sit in four sessions daily. From Monday to Thursday, session 1 begins at 8.30am and ends at 10.30am, while session 2 runs from 11.00am to 1.00pm. Session 3 is scheduled from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, and session 4 takes place from 4.00pm to 6.00pm.
Candidates are expected to arrive earlier, with reporting times set at 7.00am for the first session, 9.00am for the second, 11.00am for the third, and 2.00pm for the final session.
Friday schedule adjustments introduced
On Friday, the structure remains largely similar but includes specific adjustments for later sessions. Session 1 and session 2 maintain the same timing as earlier in the week, with exams starting at 8.30am and 11.00am respectively.
However, session 3 is marked as reserved, with a scheduled time of 1.30pm to 3.30pm, while session 4 is fixed from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Candidates assigned to these slots are expected to adhere strictly to the revised timetable.
JAMB advised candidates to carefully confirm their session details ahead of the examination period. It stated that punctuality and strict adherence to instructions will be essential for the smooth conduct of the nationwide assessment.
Source: UGC
The directive forms part of efforts to maintain the integrity of the examination process and prevent malpractice during the nationwide exercise.
JAMB re-arrests fake UTME agent
Legit.ng reported that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board confirmed the re-arrest of a suspected examination fraudster linked to a scheme that targeted candidates registered for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The suspect, Emmanuel Akataka, was taken back into custody after investigators established that he resumed fraudulent activities shortly after securing bail.
According to Channels TV, officials said he previously operated under a false identity, “Official Frederick,” while running online platforms that promised candidates illegal score manipulation services.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, the Director of Special Duties, Zainab Hamza, who spoke on behalf of the Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, said Akataka was part of a wider syndicate involved in impersonation, identity theft and online fraud. According to her, the suspect deceived 94 candidates by collecting money for a service that does not exist.
Investigations showed that the fraud revolved around WhatsApp platforms where false assurances of score inflation were offered to unsuspecting candidates seeking admission.
Hamza disclosed that after his release, Akataka reconnected with the same victims using another assumed name, “Sir Frederick.”
She said he demanded N70,000 from each candidate and claimed he could stop the cancellation of their registrations because he was allegedly “in contact” with the board.
The board stated that the claim was false and designed to exploit fear among candidates whose details were already compromised.
JAMB: Court jails man for three years
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a Federal High Court in Katsina sentenced a young man, Ibrahim Abdulaziz, to three years in prison for impersonation during the UTME conducted by JAMB.
The court held that the offence struck at the credibility of public examinations and required firm punishment.
The conviction followed a trial in which prosecutors established that Abdulaziz posed as another candidate during the examination held in April 2025.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
