The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has adjusted the arrival time for candidates sitting the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination following widespread criticism over its earlier schedule.
The examination body announced on Monday that candidates scheduled for the first session would now be required to arrive at their Computer-Based Test centres by 7:00 a.m., instead of the previously stipulated 6:30 a.m.
JAMB disclosed this in a notice posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating that the examination would commence at 8:30 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m.
“Attention 2026 UTME candidates: This is to notify you of a slight adjustment to the arrival scheduled time, particularly for the first session, which is now 7:00 a.m. as against the earlier published 6:30 a.m.,” the board said.
The adjustment followed public outcry from candidates, parents, and stakeholders who faulted the initial directive, arguing that it compelled teenagers to embark on journeys to examination centres before dawn, raising safety and logistical concerns.
Many candidates are typically posted to centres located several kilometres from their homes, a situation critics say exposes them to risks associated with early morning travel.
Responding to the backlash, JAMB said the revised time was part of efforts to address these concerns and ensure a smoother examination process nationwide.
The board also clarified that candidates would not be required to reprint their examination slips as a result of the change.
It added that the UTME would run in four sessions daily from Monday to Friday, with adjusted timelines designed to enhance coordination across CBT centres.
The 2026 UTME is scheduled to hold between April 16 and April 25, 2026.
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