BREAKING: JAMB Makes U-Turn As UTME Time Now 7am
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) today Monday announced it has adjusted the arrival time for candidates taking the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by an extra 30 minutes to 7am.
The shift came in the wake of widespread criticisms over its earlier schedule, putting the opening time at 6.30am, which many considered too early for security and transportation reasons.
The examination body announced on Monday that candidates scheduled for the first session would now be required to arrive at their Computer-Based Test centres by 7am, instead of the previously stipulated 6:30am.
JAMB disclosed this in a notice posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating that the examination would commence at 8:30am and end at 10:30am.
“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 7am. as against the earlier published 6:30am,” the board said.
The adjustment followed public outcry from candidates, parents, and stakeholders who faulted the initial directive, arguing that it compelled teenagers to embark on journeys to examination centres before dawn, raising safety and logistical concerns.
Responding to the backlash, JAMB said the revised time was part of efforts to address these concerns and ensure a smoother examination process nationwide.
The board also clarified that candidates would not be required to reprint their examination slips as a result of the change.
It added that the UTME would run in four sessions daily from Monday to Friday, with adjusted timelines designed to enhance coordination across CBT centres.
