Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has fixed Saturday, June 13, 2026, for the conduct of a mop-up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination for candidates who presented themselves for the 2026 UTME and were successfully biometrically verified but were unable to sit the examination due to technical glitches, examination infractions, or other related challenges. The board disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, May 25, 2026, by its Public Communication Adviser, Dr. Fabian Benjamin. According to the statement, the mop-up examination represents the final phase of the annual UTME exercise and is designed to resolve all outstanding issues affecting candidates who duly presented themselves but encountered difficulties in taking the examination. The board warned that there would be no further opportunity for any candidate to sit the 2026 UTME after this mop-up exercise.
The 2026 UTME was conducted between April 16 and April 23, 2026, across various computer-based test centres nationwide, with over two million candidates participating. However, some centres experienced technical difficulties, ranging from network failures and power outages to system crashes, which prevented a number of candidates from completing the examination despite having been biometrically verified. Additionally, the board had withdrawn some results due to examination infractions, and some candidates who presented themselves for the examination could not be verified biometrically on the day of the examination. All such candidates, according to JAMB, have been identified and listed for the mop-up examination. The board clarified that the mop-up exercise is strictly for candidates who were biometrically verified but could not take the examination for one reason or another, and not for those who simply failed to show up or did not register properly.
Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the board’s spokesperson, explained that the mop-up examination was necessary to ensure that no candidate who legitimately attempted to take the examination was denied the opportunity due to circumstances beyond their control. He said that while the vast majority of candidates were able to sit the examination without incident, the board was committed to addressing the challenges faced by a small fraction of candidates who encountered technical issues. Benjamin added that the mop-up exercise would be conducted under the same strict conditions as the main examination, including biometric verification and real-time monitoring. Candidates who were scheduled for the mop-up examination are advised to begin printing their Examination Notification Slips from Saturday, June 6, 2026. The slips will contain details of their examination centres, session times, and other important instructions. Affected candidates are urged to print their slips early, familiarise themselves with their examination centres, and make all necessary arrangements ahead of the examination date. The board also reminded candidates that there would be no further opportunity after the mop-up examination, and that any candidate who fails to take advantage of this final chance would have effectively lost the opportunity to sit the 2026 UTME.
The 2026 UTME was the first to be conducted under the newly amended Electoral Act, which had implications for the scheduling of public examinations due to the 2027 general election cycle. The board had earlier announced that the examination would be conducted earlier in the year to avoid clashing with election-related activities. The main UTME took place between April 16 and April 23, a window that saw large numbers of candidates across the country sit for the computer-based test. Following the examination, JAMB began releasing results in batches, with the board noting that some results were withheld pending investigation into suspected malpractices. The mop-up examination is now seen as the final opportunity for candidates who were affected by technical issues or who had their results withdrawn over infractions to still have a chance at securing admission for the 2026/2027 academic session.
In a separate development, the board had earlier announced the retention of the minimum admission cut-off mark at 150 for universities and 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education. The board also opened its portal for candidates seeking to change their course or institution. The mop-up examination is expected to be the last major activity of the 2026 UTME cycle, after which the board will focus on the admission process for tertiary institutions across the country. The board has urged candidates to remain calm and to adhere strictly to the guidelines provided. The examination will be held across designated centres, and candidates are expected to present their Examination Notification Slips and other required documents for verification. The board has also warned that any candidate found engaging in examination malpractice during the mop-up exercise will face severe consequences, including the cancellation of their results and possible prosecution.
The announcement of the mop-up examination has been met with relief by candidates who were affected by technical challenges during the main UTME. Many had expressed concerns that they would be unable to secure admission for the upcoming academic session due to no fault of their own. With the board providing a final opportunity, these candidates can now prepare to sit the examination and compete for admission into tertiary institutions. However, the board has been clear that the mop-up examination is not an opportunity for candidates who simply failed to show up for the main examination or who registered late. It is strictly for those who were biometrically verified but could not take the examination due to verified technical or administrative challenges. Candidates who fall into this category have been directly notified by the board and can confirm their status by checking the board’s website or by contacting JAMB’s support channels. As the June 13 date approaches, all eyes will be on the board to ensure that the mop-up examination is conducted smoothly and that no candidate is left behind.
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