JAMB Blacklists 20 CBT Centres Following Technical Failures During 2026 Mock UTME; Reassignment of Candidates to Begin Shortly
In a significant move to ensure the integrity of the upcoming 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially delisted over 20 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide.
The decision follows a series of technical “inadequacies” and system failures that left thousands of candidates stranded during the Mock UTME held on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Why the Centres Were Axed
While JAMB successfully conducted the mock for 152,586 candidates across 989 approved centres, the exercise exposed critical flaws in several facilities. Reports from across the country indicated that some centres suffered from persistent server crashes, power failures, and biometric verification errors that prevented exams from starting hours after the scheduled time.
According to JAMB spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the board will not compromise on its operational standards. The delisted centres were found to have failed the “stress test” required to handle the high-traffic volume expected during the main examination starting on April 16.
What This Means for Affected Candidates
If you were originally scheduled to sit for your exam at one of the now-delisted centres, there is no need to panic. JAMB has confirmed that a redistribution process is already underway:
- Automatic Reassignment: Candidates from the blacklisted centres are being moved to nearby, high-performing CBT facilities.
- Updated Exam Slips: Your new venue, date, and time will be reflected on your official examination slip.
- Printing Timeline: You must reprint your slip between April 9 and April 10, 2026, to see your finalized posting.
Checking Mock Results
For those who successfully completed the mock exercise, results have been released. Candidates can check their performance by sending MOCKRESULT via SMS to 55019 or 66019 using the phone number linked to their registration.
A Message of Readiness
The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, emphasized that the mock is designed specifically to identify these “weak links” before the main event. By removing these 20+ failing centres now, the board aims to prevent the widespread disruptions that marred previous years’ exercises.
Advice for Candidates:
As the main UTME kickoff of April 16 approaches, ensure you are checking the official JAMB portal regularly. Do not rely on third-party “centre lists” floating around WhatsApp; only your printed exam slip serves as your final authorization to enter an exam hall.
Note: Always verify your centre location at least 48 hours before your scheduled time to account for any last-minute administrative changes by the Board.