The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a slight adjustment to the arrival time for candidates sitting the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), in a move aimed at easing long-standing concerns over early morning travel.
In a notice released on Monday through its official social media platform, the examination body said candidates scheduled for the first session will now be required to arrive at their Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres by 7:00 a.m., instead of the earlier time of 6:30 a.m.
According to JAMB, the change only affects the arrival time, while the examination itself will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m.
“Attention 2026 UTME Candidates: This is to notify you of a slight adjustment to the arrival scheduled time, particularly for the first session, which is now 7:00 a.m. as against the earlier published 6:30 a.m.,” the board said in its statement.
The board also reassured candidates that there is no need to reprint their examination slips, as the adjustment has already been updated in its system.
The UTME is one of Nigeria’s most important examinations, taken by hundreds of thousands of candidates every year seeking admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. It is conducted by JAMB across accredited CBT centres nationwide.
For the 2026 exercise, the examination is scheduled to take place from April 16 to April 25, with candidates sitting for the test in batches spread across several days.
JAMB also released a full daily timetable showing that there will be four sessions each day, running from Monday to Friday. The sessions are structured to allow for smooth movement of candidates and better management of the centres.
Although the board did not make major changes to other session times, the adjustment to the first session arrival time is seen as a response to repeated complaints from candidates, parents and guardians.
In recent years, many candidates have expressed concerns about the requirement to arrive at centres as early as 6:30 a.m., especially those who live far from their assigned locations. Some candidates have had to leave their homes as early as 4:00 a.m. or even earlier to meet the deadline.
Parents have also raised safety concerns, pointing to the risks associated with travelling in the dark, particularly in areas with poor road conditions or security challenges.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the adjustment, describing it as a practical step that shows the board is listening to feedback.
A Lagos-based education consultant said the new time would reduce stress on candidates and help them perform better during the examination.
“Many of these students are teenagers. Waking up too early and travelling long distances can affect their concentration. This adjustment will help them settle down before the exam starts,” he said.
Some parents also expressed relief at the new timing. A parent whose child is registered for the 2026 UTME said the earlier schedule had been a major concern.
“It was risky sending children out so early. Now at least they have a bit more time to prepare and travel safely,” she said.
Despite the adjustment, JAMB has advised candidates to still plan ahead and ensure they arrive at their centres on time. The board warned that late arrival could lead to disqualification from the examination.
Candidates are also encouraged to familiarise themselves with their examination centres ahead of time to avoid last-minute confusion.
The UTME remains a key requirement for admission into higher institutions in Nigeria. After taking the exam, candidates must also meet the cut-off marks set by their chosen institutions and may be required to take part in post-UTME screening exercises.
Over the years, JAMB has introduced several reforms to improve the conduct of the examination. These include the use of biometric verification, computer-based testing, and stricter monitoring of CBT centres to reduce malpractice.
The board has also worked to address technical issues that sometimes occur during the exams, such as system failures and network problems.
The latest adjustment to the arrival time is part of these ongoing efforts to improve the experience for candidates and ensure a smoother examination process.
As the 2026 UTME approaches, candidates across the country are intensifying their preparations, hoping to secure admission into their preferred institutions.
For many families, the examination represents an important step toward higher education and future career opportunities.
With the new schedule in place, candidates now have a slightly more flexible start to their examination day, a change that many hope will make a positive difference.
JAMB has assured the public that it remains committed to conducting a fair, transparent and efficient examination, while also taking into account the welfare and safety of candidates.
As preparations continue, all eyes will be on the smooth conduct of the UTME when it begins on April 16.