Peter Obi Condemns JAMB Over Alleged UTME 2026 Registration System Failures
Peter Obi, a prominent political figure and former presidential candidate, has publicly criticized the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) over alleged systemic failures in the ongoing 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration process. In a strongly-worded statement shared on his verified social media account, Obi highlighted what he described as widespread frustration and chaos affecting candidates across Nigeria.
Registration Chaos Across Multiple States
The opposition leader expressed deep concern about the registration difficulties faced by prospective university candidates, noting that similar problems had been reported during the previous year's registration cycle. Obi specifically mentioned witnessing chaotic scenes at the Amawbia, Anambra State JAMB office, where he observed large crowds and confusion during a visit on February 20, 2026.
"Upon further inquiry, I was informed that similar situations exist in some other states across Nigeria," Obi stated in his social media post. He emphasized that the registration deadline of February 26, 2026, created urgent pressure for candidates, many of whom travel from distant villages and sometimes sleep overnight at registration centers to secure access.
Historical Context of JAMB Sanctions
The criticism comes against the backdrop of JAMB's ongoing efforts to maintain examination integrity through strict monitoring and sanctions. In March 2025, the examination board sanctioned 132 out of 887 approved computer-based test centers following the discovery of data mismatches during that year's UTME registration. The infractions involved approximately 200 cases out of over 2 million registered candidates.
Further sanctions followed in June 2025 when JAMB recommended tough penalties for 11 CBT centers allegedly involved in examination infractions. The board implemented measures targeting registrants with fingerprint irregularities during UTME registration, stating these actions were necessary to protect the examination's credibility.
JAMB's Monitoring Requirements
In January 2026, JAMB established new requirements for CBT centers participating in the registration process. Professor Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB's registrar, announced that all centers must be capable of remote live monitoring from the board's national headquarters in Abuja. Centers unable to meet this technical requirement would be excluded from the 2026 UTME registration process.
"Any centre that cannot be covered or viewed live from the board headquarters will not be able to register and hold the 2026 UTME," Professor Oloyede declared, emphasizing the board's commitment to transparency and accountability.
Obi's Proposed Solutions
While acknowledging JAMB's need to maintain standards, Obi proposed alternative approaches to address the registration challenges. He suggested that centers under investigation could continue offering limited services under strict monitoring rather than facing complete suspension.
"While authorities may have valid reasons for sanctioning centres, a more balanced and humane approach is possible," Obi argued. "Centres under investigation could be allowed to continue offering limited services under strict monitoring to prevent further lapses. If it is difficult to approve new centres quickly, the authorities could still make temporary use of previously approved centres under close supervision to ease the pressure on state offices."
Urgent Call to Action
The former Anambra State governor issued an urgent appeal for intervention, warning that many candidates risk missing the examination entirely due to administrative failures rather than academic unpreparedness.
"With registration ending on the 26th, the consequences are serious," Obi emphasized. "If nothing urgent is done, some will miss the examination — not for lack of preparation, but because the system failed them."
He concluded with a call for compassionate intervention: "Students cannot be made to suffer the failings of a system to which we have all, in one way or another, contributed. What is required now is not blame, but swift and compassionate intervention to ensure that no young person’s future is jeopardised by avoidable administrative bottlenecks."
Registration Requirements and Guidelines
JAMB has established specific requirements for the 2026 UTME registration, including:
- Valid National Identification Number (NIN)
- Active email address
- Other personal identification details
Candidates are expected to visit the nearest JAMB office or any approved CBT center to complete their registration. The board has reported that over 1.5 million candidates have already registered for the 2026 UTME, with officials urging all remaining applicants to complete the process before the February deadline.
