UTME 2026 Forms Are Finally Out! JAMB Issues Strong Warning to CBT Centres

For millions of Nigerian students and parents, this is the moment they have been waiting for.

After weeks of speculation, rumors on WhatsApp groups, and endless questions like “Has JAMB started selling forms?”, the answer is now clear.

UTME 2026 forms are officially out.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed the commencement of the sale of forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Alongside this announcement, the examination body has also issued a strong warning to Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country.

And this warning is not a joke.

JAMB says it will not tolerate fraud, manipulation, extortion, or technical compromise from any CBT centre involved in the registration or examination process.

For candidates, parents, school owners, and CBT operators, UTME 2026 is already shaping up to be different from previous years.

This article explains everything in simple language:

What JAMB said about UTME 2026
When and how to buy the forms
The new rules CBT centres must follow
What candidates should watch out for
Why JAMB is cracking down harder this year
How this affects students directly

If you’re planning to sit for UTME 2026 or you’re a parent helping a child this guide will save you from confusion and costly mistakes.

UTME 2026: Why This Announcement Matters So Much

In Nigeria, UTME is more than an exam.

It is:

A gateway to university, polytechnic, and college of education
A deciding factor for millions of young people every year
A process that often comes with stress, fear, and misinformation

So when JAMB officially announces the start of UTME registration, it sets the tone for the entire admission cycle.

This year, JAMB’s message is loud and clear:

“We are watching everyone.”

Unlike past years where some CBT centres operated with little accountability, JAMB says UTME 2026 will be strictly monitored from start to finish.

JAMB Begins Sale of UTME 2026 Forms

JAMB has confirmed that the sale of UTME 2026 forms has commenced nationwide.

This means:

Candidates can now begin registration
Accredited CBT centres are allowed to register candidates
No school, cyber café, or individual is permitted to register candidates outside approved centres

JAMB also reminded the public that registration must only be done at accredited CBT centres.

Any candidate who registers elsewhere does so at their own risk.

How Much Is the UTME 2026 Form?

JAMB has maintained its usual pricing structure to avoid overburdening candidates.

The cost includes:

UTME registration form
Reading text
CBT service charge

However, JAMB has warned that no CBT centre has the right to inflate prices.

Any centre found charging illegal fees will face serious sanctions.

What this means for candidates

If a CBT centre tells you:

“System is down, pay extra”
“Network is slow, add money”
“We will help you correct mistakes for a fee”

That centre is already violating JAMB’s rules.

JAMB’s Strong Warning to CBT Centres

This is where things get serious.

JAMB has issued a stern warning to all CBT centres involved in UTME 2026 registration and examination.

The board says it has observed several fraud-related practices in previous years, including:

Alteration of candidate data
Fingerprint manipulation
Overcharging candidates
Registering candidates multiple times
Use of substandard computer systems
Collaboration with fraud syndicates

For UTME 2026, JAMB says enough is enough.

Live Monitoring: JAMB Tightens Surveillance

One major change for UTME 2026 is real-time monitoring.

JAMB says only CBT centres that can be monitored live will be allowed to operate.

This means:

JAMB can see what happens inside CBT centres remotely
Computer systems must meet minimum technical standards
CCTV and biometric systems must function properly

Any centre that fails this test will be:

Suspended
Delisted
Possibly blacklisted permanently

This move is aimed at blocking exam malpractice before it starts, not after damage has been done.

Why JAMB Is Taking Fraud So Seriously in 2026

Let’s be honest.

In past UTME exercises, many Nigerians complained about:

Scores that didn’t reflect performance
Centres aiding malpractice
Candidates paying to “upgrade” scores
Technical errors that ruined exams

JAMB says these issues damage:

The credibility of UTME
The future of hardworking students
The trust Nigerians have in the education system

For 2026, JAMB wants UTME to be:

Fair
Transparent
Technology-driven
Resistant to manipulation

What Happens to CBT Centres That Break the Rules?

JAMB didn’t mince words.

Any CBT centre found guilty of:

Fraud
Data manipulation
Candidate exploitation
Technical compromise

Will face:

Immediate suspension
Loss of accreditation
Possible legal action

JAMB also warned that owners of CBT centres will be held personally responsible, not just staff.

This means:

“I didn’t know” will not be accepted as an excuse.

A Message Directly to UTME 2026 Candidates

JAMB also spoke directly to candidates.

If you’re writing UTME 2026, here are things you must understand:

1. Don’t Rush Registration

There is no prize for being the first to register. Take your time.

2. Use Only Accredited CBT Centres

Avoid:

Roadside cyber cafés
Agents promising “special help”
Centres without visible JAMB accreditation

3. Check Your Details Carefully

Mistakes in:

Name
Date of birth
Subject combination
O’Level details

Can cost you admission later.

4. No “Runs”, No Shortcuts

JAMB says any candidate caught attempting malpractice will be disqualified, regardless of score.

Parents Are Not Left Out

JAMB also sent a subtle but important message to parents.

Many cases of malpractice start with:

Parents pushing children to “do anything” to pass
Parents paying for illegal assistance
Parents ignoring proper registration procedures

For UTME 2026, JAMB advises parents to:

Encourage honesty
Support proper preparation
Avoid desperate shortcuts

UTME 2026 Registration: Step-by-Step Overview

While full guidelines are provided by JAMB, the general process includes:

Obtain a valid phone number
Create a JAMB profile
Purchase UTME form
Visit an accredited CBT centre
Complete biometric capture
Print registration slip

Candidates are advised to keep all documents safe.

What Makes UTME 2026 Different From Previous Years

Here’s what stands out this year:

Stronger monitoring of CBT centres
Harsher penalties for fraud
Increased emphasis on technology
Public warnings issued early
Less tolerance for excuses

In simple terms, UTME 2026 is not business as usual.

Common Mistakes Candidates Still Make

Despite warnings every year, some mistakes repeat:

Registering twice
Choosing wrong subject combinations
Ignoring admission requirements
Trusting unverified agents
Waiting until the last minute

UTME 2026 candidates are advised to learn from past failures.

What Schools and Teachers Are Saying

Many teachers have welcomed JAMB’s new stance.

According to education stakeholders:

Tougher rules restore credibility
Honest students are protected
Admissions become fairer

Some CBT operators also admit that bad actors have damaged the industry, and stricter rules are long overdue.

Social Media Reactions to UTME 2026 Announcement

On social media, reactions have been mixed.

Some candidates say:

“Finally! No more cheating.”

Others worry:

“Hope technical issues won’t affect innocent students.”

Parents mostly agree on one thing:

“We just want a fair exam.”

Final Advice to UTME 2026 Candidates

If there’s one thing to remember, it’s this:

UTME 2026 is not the year to joke around.

Prepare well.
Register properly.
Avoid shortcuts.
Trust your effort.

JAMB has made it clear that any form of fraud will be punished, and CBT centres are now under intense scrutiny.

Conclusion

The release of UTME 2026 forms marks the beginning of another crucial academic journey for millions of Nigerians.

With JAMB’s firm warning to CBT centres, the message is unmistakable:

Integrity matters
Technology will be enforced
Fraud will not be tolerated

For candidates, this is both a challenge and an opportunity.

A challenge because cheating routes are closing.
An opportunity because honest effort now stands a better chance.

UTME 2026 has begun.
How you prepare will determine how far you go.

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