Abuja, Nigeria – September 15, 2026
DDNewsOnline
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a slight adjustment to the arrival and examination schedules for candidates taking the first session of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
According to the Board, first-session candidates are now expected to arrive at their assigned Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres later than the initially scheduled time. JAMB noted that the directive is aimed at perfecting logistics and guaranteeing a seamless exam delivery across all states.
The Board has shifted the first-session arrival time from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., with the examination now set to start at 8:30 a.m.
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JAMB explained that the previous 6:30 a.m. arrival time forced many candidates — especially those travelling long distances — to leave their homes before dawn, putting their safety at risk.
The extra hour is expected to give students more commuting flexibility and help them navigate early-morning transport challenges more smoothly. By making the morning schedule less stressful, the Board aims to reduce the number of candidates who miss their exams due to early-morning transit delays.
The decision was finalised following detailed stakeholder deliberations at the JAMB Management and IT Retreat, where officials reviewed operational setups to improve the overall candidate experience.
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The Board clarified that other subsequent examination sessions during the day will continue to follow their previously established, standard daily scheduling timelines.
Candidates are advised to verify their specific batch allocation, venue details and exact reporting requirements by checking their examination slip on the official JAMB portal.
JAMB’s decision to shift the first-session arrival time is a practical adjustment centred on candidate safety, convenience and reduced absenteeism, while keeping subsequent afternoon exam sessions on their regular tracks.
By: Komolafe Barakah