The stage is set for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board commences its nationwide mock examination on Saturday signaling the final countdown to the main exercise.
The mock examination, scheduled for March 28, 2026, is designed to test the Board’s readiness and familiarize candidates with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) environment ahead of the main examination.
“The first session will run from 8:00 a.m. to 10:a.m., followed by the second session from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Board also announced that all candidates who indicated interest in the Mock UTME during registration are required to participate in the exercise.
“Absence from the Mock UTME after indicating interest will attract appropriate consequences.”
JAMB disclosed that a total of 2,243,816 candidates have registered for this year’s UTME, one of the highest figures recorded in recent years.
The Board also confirmed that the main UTME will begin on April 25, 2026, across accredited centres nationwide.
State-by-State Breakdown
A detailed analysis of the registration data reveals significant regional disparities, with a strong concentration of candidates in urban and education-advantaged states.
Top 10 States:
Lagos – 321,814
Kaduna – 303,498
FCT (Abuja) – 302,963
Ogun – 137,156
Oyo – 122,662
Rivers – 105,584
Kano – 83,167
Delta – 77,670
Ondo – 66,270
Nasarawa – 65,739
Middle Range States:
Kwara – 64,988
Osun – 64,894
Plateau – 62,440
Benue – 60,860
Edo – 59,605
Enugu – 50,305
Niger – 47,679
Akwa Ibom – 47,079
Kogi – 46,783
Abia – 44,394
Imo – 42,170
Lower Range States:
Taraba – 38,093
Katsina – 37,973
Kebbi – 36,533
Anambra – 34,787
Cross River – 34,605
Borno – 33,483
Ekiti – 31,643
Adamawa – 31,321
Jigawa – 28,166
Bauchi – 27,963
Bayelsa – 27,245
Lowest Figures:
Gombe – 23,012
Yobe – 20,583
Sokoto – 20,243
Ebonyi – 19,662
Zamfara – 14,841
A small number of candidates also registered from foreign centres, including the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and neighbouring West African countries.
The Board assured candidates and parents of its preparedness, stating that necessary logistics and technical arrangements have been put in place to ensure a seamless exercise.
Candidates participating in the mock examination are advised to print their slips, confirm their centres, and arrive early.
As the mock examination begins tomorrow, stakeholders say its outcome will serve as a critical test of readiness for what is expected to be another highly competitive UTME season.
