JAMB Announces Banned Items and Penalties for UTME 2026

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set forth stringent guidelines for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which will take place from April 16 to April 25, 2026. Candidates are advised to strictly adhere to these guidelines to avoid penalties, including the cancellation of results and prosecution.

Banned items include calculators, electronic devices, wristwatches, and mobile phones. Specific penalties for violations include a two-year ban for impersonation, a three-year ban for colluding with external agents, and expulsion from the examination hall for violent behavior.

Candidates who arrive late will also face result cancellation. The examination will be conducted across accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers nationwide, with four daily sessions starting at 8:30 AM.

JAMB emphasizes the importance of maintaining the integrity of the examination process and warns against widespread cheating and tampering with results.