(DDM) – Nigeria’s examination body, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, has summoned 94 candidates and several tertiary institutions to appear before investigative panels over alleged irregularities linked to the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registration process.
The board disclosed that the candidates were invited to respond to accusations of examination registration misconduct and the use of suspected fraudulent academic credentials during admission processes.
According to the examination authority, the affected candidates are expected to participate in a virtual investigative session scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m.
Officials explained that the meeting will be conducted online, with access details already sent to the candidates through their registered mobile telephone numbers.
The board further revealed that the registration numbers of the invited candidates have been published on its official website under a section titled “Solicitations Candidates,” located within the Quick Links category.
Authorities said the candidates involved include individuals suspected of attempting to obtain unauthorized assistance or paying for illegal support while registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
Other individuals under investigation include applicants who submitted documents for Direct Entry admission but whose academic credentials were later flagged as invalid by their respective institutions.
The examination board warned that any candidate who fails to attend the investigative session will automatically be regarded as having accepted the allegations made against them.
CNN Explainer: The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, commonly known as UTME, is the primary standardized examination used for admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria.
Every year, millions of candidates sit for the examination as part of the requirements for gaining admission into higher education institutions.
Because of the intense competition for limited admission slots, authorities frequently investigate allegations of malpractice, including fraudulent registration practices and the use of fake certificates.
The board has increasingly adopted digital monitoring systems and verification processes to detect irregularities in candidate applications.
In a related development, the examination body also summoned the heads of several tertiary institutions whose submitted documents have been flagged during the verification process.
The institutions are expected to attend a separate virtual meeting designed to address concerns surrounding Direct Entry applications and unresolved certificate verification cases.
According to the board, the online meeting with institutional representatives was scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
Officials revealed that about 43 institutions, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, have been invited to the session.
These institutions collectively have approximately 2,638 Direct Entry academic results currently awaiting verification clearance.
The board has also published the names of the affected institutions on its official website under a section titled “Institutions with Outstanding Response.”
Direct Entry is an admission pathway that allows candidates with advanced qualifications such as diplomas or A-level certificates to enter universities directly into the second year of a degree programme.
Because this pathway relies heavily on academic credentials obtained from different institutions, verification of certificates is critical to preventing admission fraud.
Education regulators say fraudulent credentials can undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s admission system and disadvantage legitimate applicants.
Authorities therefore conduct periodic reviews and investigations to ensure that all documents submitted for admission meet established standards.
The latest action by the examination board reflects ongoing efforts by Nigerian education authorities to strengthen the credibility of the country’s university admission process.
Analysts say the outcome of the investigations could lead to sanctions against candidates or institutions found guilty of violating examination and admission rules.
