In a statement released on Monday, the Board's Head of Public Affairs noted that the adjustment is part of a broader "Zero-Delay" initiative. Under the new guidelines, candidates are now required to be present at their assigned Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers at least one hour and thirty minutes before their scheduled session start time.
"The verification of thousands of candidates simultaneously across the country requires precision," the statement read. "By adjusting the arrival window, we are ensuring that every student has ample time to complete their thumbprint verification and settle into their assigned workstation without the pressure of a ticking clock."
The Board also warned that candidates who arrive after the final call for their session will not be allowed entry, emphasizing a "no-excuse" policy for the 2026 cycle. JAMB has integrated new high-speed biometric scanners across all 700+ accredited centers to facilitate this faster check-in process.
Parents and guardians are urged to familiarize themselves with the new schedule to avoid last-minute rushes. Below is the breakdown of the adjusted arrival windows for the three daily sessions:
Morning Session (8:00 AM start): Arrival and Check-in starts at 6:30 AM.
Mid-Day Session (12:00 PM start): Arrival and Check-in starts at 10:30 AM.
Afternoon Session (3:30 PM start): Arrival and Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.
Candidates are advised to print their updated examination slips from the JAMB portal to confirm their specific center requirements and session details.
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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a critical adjustment to the mandatory arrival times for candidates participating in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a new directive adjusting the official arrival times for candidates ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This move is...
Key takeaways
- The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a critical adjustment to the mandatory arrival times for candidates participating in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
- The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a new directive adjusting the official arrival times for candidates ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
- This move is aimed at streamlining the biometric verification process and preventing the technical delays that have occasionally marred the start of previous examination sessions.In a statement released on Monday, the Board's Head of Public Affairs noted that the adjustment is part of a broader "Zero-Delay" initiative.
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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a critical adjustment to the mandatory arrival times for candidates participating in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a new directive adjusting the official arrival times for candidates ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This move is...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with Oyebade Oluwatobiloba listed as author.
When was it published?
April 13, 2026
