Early arrival rule for 2026’s UTME sparks concerns over students’ welfare

For many candidates preparing for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the challenge goes beyond passing the exam; it now includes navigating an early arrival policy that some say compromises their comfort, safety, and well-being.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Monday stated a slight adjustment to the arrival and commencement schedule for candidates sitting the 2026 UTME, particularly those assigned to the first examination session.

According to the board, candidates for the first session are expected to arrive at their examination centres by 7:00 a.m., instead of the earlier communicated 6:30 a.m. The board also clarified that the first session examination will now begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m.

Read also: UTME 2026: JAMB prohibits 23 items in exam hall

Speaking about the new directive from JAMB, Ajibade Ayodeji, a senior lecturer at Babcock University, said, “I believe the 7:00 am arrival time is still too early.

“Considering the realities of transport logistics, especially for candidates coming from distant areas, it can be quite stressful and even unsafe.”

Ayodeji emphasised that an ideal time should be more flexible, perhaps between 8:00 am and 9:00 am so that candidates can arrive safely and in a better state of mind.

“Many candidates would have to leave their homes very early in the dark, which raises security concerns.

“Exams such as UTME should prioritise the students’ safety, not just punctuality,” he said.

Read also: JAMB directs candidates to print 2026 UTME slips ahead of April exams

Chris Nmeribe, a teacher, said the early arrival time introduced by JAMB is understandable from an administrative standpoint, because it helps the board with accreditation, biometric verification, and curbing malpractice.

However, Nmeribe noted that when this is mirrored with Nigeria’s realities, there are legitimate concerns.

“Many candidates are posted far from their homes, forcing them to travel very early, sometimes before 5:00 am. This exposes them to security risks and transport difficulties and even affects their mental alertness due to fatigue.

“Although shifting from 6:30 am to 7:00 am is a step in the right direction, it is still not sufficient to address these challenges,” he said.

He said that a more balanced approach would be fixing 8:00 am as the arrival time and ensuring candidates are assigned to centres closer to their location.

“While discipline and structure are important, policies such as this must also reflect safety, accessibility, and the well-being of candidates,” he emphasised.

Isaiah Ogundele, an administrator, describes the 30-minute adjustment as the best for the candidates because it gives them 30 minutes extra to cover the distance and still sit the examination the same day.

“The only area at which there could be a problem is when the day and time are changed without prior notice,” he noted.

Some years ago, some candidates were attacked in the early hours on their way to their UTME examination in Rivers State.

Read also: UTME 2026: JAMB prohibits 23 items in exam hall

According to the victim’s narrative, “My brother and I, whose arrival time was 6:30 am, left for our location, which is Elele old refinery road via Evinox Connection Nig. Ltd in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“We got to Elelewon junction by 5:30 am, and immediately the bus driver dropped us off. A group of boys came in and attacked me. They first matched me with a very big cutlass; they targeted my forehead.”

After all their struggles with the thieves, they were robbed of their belongings, including bags, phones, power banks, and money, among others.

The recent fuel price hike orchestrated by the Iran-Israel-US war has pushed petrol prices to surge by 47 percent, from N839 per litre to N1,232.

The price of diesel also surged by 65 percent within the period, from N970 in January to N1,600 in Lagos. As a result, many families are finding it difficult to meet the transport cost, which might handicap UTME candidates whose examination centre is far from home.