JAMB Adjusts 2026 UTME Arrival Time For Candidates Across Sessions

JAMB adjusts 2026 UTME schedule, particularly shifting Session 1 arrival to 7:00am, revising timings across all examination sessions nationwide.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced an adjustment to the arrival schedule for candidates sitting the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), affecting all examination sessions.

The update, which modifies the first session arrival time from 6:30am to 7:00am and revises other session timelines, was disclosed in an official statement shared on the Board’s X handle. The adjustment follows concerns raised over early morning reporting times and logistical coordination challenges experienced in previous exercises and mock examinations.

JAMB stated: “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 7:00am as against the earlier published 6:30am, while the scheduled start time for the session is now 8:30 am and end time”

According to the Board, Session 1 will now hold from 8:30am to 10:30am. Session 2 is scheduled for 11:00am to 1:00pm, Session 3 will run from 1:30pm to 3:30pm, while Session 4 is fixed for 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Friday sittings will maintain the structure, though Session 3 has been designated as reserved.

The UTME remains a nationwide computer-based examination conducted annually by JAMB for admission seekers into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria.

Over time, the Board has implemented tighter scheduling systems and biometric verification procedures to enhance transparency, curb malpractice, and ensure proper candidate identification at examination centres.

JAMB further urged candidates to strictly adhere to the revised timetable, emphasizing the importance of early arrival for verification and other preparatory checks before each session begins.