The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that starting with the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) before they can register for the exam. The move, JAMB says, is aimed at curbing impersonation and streamlining the registration process.
JAMB spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, made the announcement during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday. He encouraged parents to help their wards start the NIN registration early to avoid last-minute rushes. “The NIN policy will help us maintain transparency and eliminate duplicate identities across exam centers,” he added.
Candidates will now need to link their NIN to their JAMB profile before they can generate their registration PIN. JAMB also hinted that biometric verification will be more strictly enforced at test centers starting next year. The board will begin a nationwide sensitization campaign in September to guide candidates on the new process.
The reaction online has been mixed. While some praise the decision for promoting accountability, others worry about bottlenecks at NIMC registration centers. Critics are urging JAMB to ensure that rural and underprivileged students won’t be left behind due to poor access to ID facilities.
