The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced plans to accredit 1,039 Computer Based Test centres nationwide ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. The move is part of JAMB’s routine preparation to ensure that all centres used for the examination meet required standards in terms of infrastructure, technology, security, and operational efficiency. The accreditation exercise is already underway across different states of the federation.
According to the Board, the process involves the deployment of 52 accreditation teams to inspect CBT centres across the country. These teams are responsible for assessing both new and existing centres to determine their suitability for the 2026 UTME. JAMB has made it clear that centres accredited in previous years will not be automatically approved, as each facility must demonstrate continuous compliance with updated requirements and operational guidelines.
The Registrar of JAMB, Professor Is’haq Oloyede, explained that the annual accreditation exercise is necessary to maintain the integrity and credibility of the UTME. He noted that the Board has consistently raised its standards to match technological advancements and address emerging challenges in examination administration. Centres that fail to meet the minimum requirements during the inspection will be disqualified, regardless of their past status.
As part of the accreditation process, CBT centres are being evaluated on several criteria, including network configuration, availability of functional computers, power backup systems such as generators and inverters, and the presence of surveillance equipment like CCTV cameras. Inspectors are also assessing the physical environment of each centre to ensure adequate seating, proper ventilation, secure examination halls, and appropriate holding areas for candidates.
JAMB has also intensified measures to curb examination malpractice by tightening regulations around centre ownership and staffing. The Board is working with relevant government agencies to ensure that operators of centres previously blacklisted for malpractice do not re enter the system under different identities. Individuals linked to delisted centres, including directors and key operators, are being barred from future participation in CBT centre operations.
In addition, JAMB has maintained that any computer systems associated with malpractice will be permanently blocked from being used for UTME, even if such systems are sold to other centres. Staff and officials found guilty of compromising the examination process are also being excluded from future UTME engagements. These steps, according to the Board, are aimed at strengthening transparency and restoring public confidence in the examination system.
Once the exercise is concluded, the Board is expected to release the final list of approved CBT centres, which candidates will be required to select during registration. JAMB has advised prospective candidates to ensure they choose only officially accredited centres to avoid complications during the examination.
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