Jane Salihu
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has moved the arrival time for candidates sitting the first session of the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., citing concerns over early-morning travel and candidate safety.
The adjustment means that candidates scheduled for the first session will now arrive at their designated Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres by 7:30 a.m., with the examination commencing at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 10:30 a.m.
JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, made this known in a statement on the outcome of the Board’s 2026 Management and IT Retreat held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, from September 6 to 11, 2026.
Benjamin said the decision followed extensive deliberations on concerns raised by members of the public over the difficulties candidates, particularly those travelling long distances, could face when required to move to CBT centres before dawn.
He said the later arrival time was expected to improve the safety and convenience of candidates and potentially reduce absenteeism arising from difficulties associated with the previous early-morning schedule.
“Arrival Time: 7:30 a.m. as against the 6:30 a.m., while examination will start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m.,” Benjamin stated.
According to him, other examination sessions will continue to operate under the Board’s established scheduling arrangements, while the complete 2027 UTME timetable and other details will be communicated in due course.
The JAMB spokesperson said the adjustment was one of the outcomes of the retreat, which brought together the Board’s management, State Coordinators, heads of outstation offices and other stakeholders to review issues affecting examinations and the Board’s operations.
He said participants also considered measures to improve the efficiency, safety, credibility and overall experience of candidates as the scale and complexity of the UTME continue to increase.
Benjamin said although the 2027 UTME is still months away, the Board had commenced preparations, with the aim of applying lessons from previous examinations and implementing decisions reached at the retreat.
He said the preparations were geared towards delivering an efficient and candidate-friendly examination, while urging candidates and the general public to take note of the revised first-session arrival time.
The Board advised candidates to await further official communication on the complete 2027 UTME timetable and other examination arrangements.
