"Following the successful conduct of the 2026 UTME mop-up examination on June 13, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has finalized its assessment phase to pave way for the 2026/2027 admission cycle."
Overview of the 2026 Mop-Up Exercise
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) successfully concluded its 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) mop-up exercise on Saturday, June 13, 2026. This final examination phase was specifically curated for candidates who faced technical hitches, biometric verification failures, or other unforeseen challenges during the main examination window in April 2026.
JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that the exercise served as the final opportunity for eligible candidates to secure their scores for the current academic session. The Board maintained a firm stance that no further extensions or supplementary examinations will be provided for the 2026 UTME cycle, urging students to proceed with the next steps of their admission journey.
Critical Implications for Candidates
With the mop-up examination now concluded, the focus shifts entirely to the admission process. Candidates who participated in the mop-up are advised to monitor the official JAMB portal for the release of their results.
“The mop-up examination represents the final opportunity for eligible candidates to sit the 2026 UTME. We have ensured that the integrity of the process remains uncompromised, and we urge all candidates to prepare for the subsequent post-UTME requirements of their respective tertiary institutions,” stated Fabian Benjamin in an official communication.
What Applicants Must Know
As the Board transitions into the admission phase, several key points remain pertinent for all 2026 applicants:
1. Admission Cut-off Marks: The policy meeting held on May 11, 2026, established the minimum cut-off marks at 150 for universities and nursing colleges, and 100 for polytechnics. However, applicants should note that many institutions have set higher internal benchmarks for competitive courses.
2. Result Checking: Candidates are reminded to verify their results via the official channels. JAMB has previously advised that for any withheld results under review, candidates should remain patient as investigations into examination infractions continue.
3. Admission Processing: Institutions will now begin combining UTME scores, O-Level requirements, and institutional screening results to compile their respective admission lists. Candidates are encouraged to ensure their O-Level results are correctly uploaded to the JAMB Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
