The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a fresh warning to candidates registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE), cautioning that failure to declare an existing admission could lead to the loss of both old and new offers.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, and signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB addressed reports circulating online claiming that students already admitted into tertiary institutions are not allowed to register for UTME or DE.
According to the Board, such claims are false and misleading.
JAMB clarified that candidates who are currently studying in universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education are allowed to register for the 2026 UTME or Direct Entry.
However, they must clearly declare their current admission or matriculation status during the registration process.
The Board explained that while registering for UTME or DE as an already admitted student is not an offence, concealing an existing admission violates admission regulations.
JAMB stressed that Nigerian law does not permit any candidate to hold two admissions at the same time, as doing so compromises the integrity of the education system.
It further noted that once a candidate secures a new admission through the current UTME cycle, any previous admission automatically becomes invalid. However, candidates who fail to disclose their admission status risk losing both offers if detected through JAMB’s verification systems.
“The law is clear that no candidate is allowed to hold two admissions concurrently,” the Board stated, adding that its database can easily detect undisclosed admissions.
JAMB also criticised what it described as self-styled education advocates who spread misinformation online for engagement, urging candidates to rely only on official guidelines and verified information.
The 2026 UTME and Direct Entry registration began on January 26, 2026, and will close on February 28, 2026.
Prospective candidates were advised to carefully follow all registration guidelines to avoid errors that could affect their academic future.
JAMB reiterated that declaring an existing admission does not lead to automatic disqualification but instead ensures a smooth and lawful transition once a new admission is secured.