The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dismissed widespread claims suggesting that students currently enrolled in universities are prohibited from sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

In an official statement issued by the Office of the Registrar and signed by the Public Communication Adviser, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the Board described the circulating narrative as a deliberate misrepresentation of its guidelines for the 2026 UTME/Direct Entry (DE) registration.

According to JAMB, it is not an offence for a candidate who is already studying in a tertiary institution to register for and write the UTME or DE examination.

However, the Board emphasized that such candidates are mandated to disclose their current matriculation status during registration. Failure to do so constitutes an offence under JAMB regulations.

“Disclosure simply means that once a candidate secures a new admission through UTME or DE, the former admission automatically ceases to exist,” the statement clarified.

JAMB reiterated that Nigerian law does not permit any candidate to hold two admissions concurrently. Candidates found attempting to do so risk losing both opportunities.

The Board further revealed that its systems are capable of detecting prior matriculation records. Any candidate who fails to disclose such information may forfeit both their existing admission and the new one obtained.

Recent investigations by the Board have also uncovered cases where matriculated students act as professional examination writers for other candidates. Mandatory disclosure, JAMB said, helps fast-track appropriate sanctions when such individuals are apprehended.

JAMB cautioned parents, candidates, and the general public against relying on so-called education advocates who often distort official guidelines to drive traffic to their social media platforms.

The Board urged Nigerians to always consult official publications and announcements for accurate information regarding UTME and Direct Entry registration.