JAMB Adjusts 2027 UTME First Session Over Safety Concerns

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has moved the arrival time for the first session of the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. due to safety and logistical concerns.

According to JAMB in its Weekly Bulletin on Monday, under the new arrangement, candidates for the first session will now arrive by 7:30 a.m. while the examination will commence at 8:30 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m.

JAMB said the adjustment was to address challenges faced by candidates who travel long distances to Computer-Based Test centres, especially those who had to move before dawn.

The Board added that the later time would improve safety and convenience and also reduce the number of candidates likely to be absent.

“The decision was taken at the 2026 Management and IT Retreat of the Board held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, from 6th to 11th September 2026.

“The retreat had in attendance the management of the Board, State Coordinators, heads of outstation offices and other stakeholders who deliberated on issues affecting the conduct of the Board’s examinations,” the Board said.

According to JAMB, members of the public had raised concerns over the implications of the 6:30 a.m. arrival time.

The Board said it considered the feedback and concluded that a later arrival would serve candidates better.

JAMB explained that the change is part of broader measures to improve the efficiency, safety, credibility and overall candidate experience of the UTME, given the increasing scale and complexity of the examination.

JAMB noted that other examination sessions will continue to follow the Board’s established scheduling arrangements.

The Board noted that although the 2027 UTME is still months away, preparations have already begun to ensure what it described as one of the most seamless and candidate-friendly exercises in its history.

It noted that the lessons from previous examinations and decisions from the retreat will be applied.

“Candidates and the general public have been advised to take note of the adjustment and to await further official communication from the Board on the complete 2027 UTME timetable and other arrangements,” the Board said.