Joint Admissions And Matriculation Board Stuns Candidates With Approval Of Personal Computers For UTME

The announcement was made on Monday by the Registrar of JAMB, Ishaq Oloyede, during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja.

According to Oloyede, candidates will be permitted to write the examination using their personal devices, while special flash drives will be used to safeguard the system against examination malpractice.

He explained that the initiative would reduce operational costs, simplify the examination process, and address common complaints from candidates whose computers reportedly shut down during exams.

The JAMB registrar added that the innovation is aimed at improving convenience for candidates while still protecting the credibility and integrity of the examination process.

Oloyede also revealed that several other technological innovations, currently said to be at about 90 percent completion stage, are expected to be introduced by 2027.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Education has announced that candidates seeking admission into Federal Colleges of Education will no longer be required to sit for the UTME.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, made the disclosure during the same policy meeting in Abuja.

According to the minister, the exemption will also cover applicants seeking admission into programmes related to technology, agriculture, and other skill-based courses.

Alausa stated that the policy is intended to make access to technical and specialised education easier for students across the country.

He, however, clarified that all affected candidates must still meet the required O’Level qualification standards for admission.