2026 UTME: JAMB Cancels Albino Concessions

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially withdrawn the special registration concessions previously granted to candidates living with albinism for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), citing widespread abuse and examination malpractice.

The decision takes immediate effect as registration for the 2026 UTME commences nationwide.

According to JAMB, the concessions, originally introduced to support candidates with visual and medical challenges, were increasingly exploited by individuals falsely claiming albinism to gain unfair advantages during registration and examination processes.

The Board says the scale of the abuse left it with no option but to cancel the privilege entirely.

Why JAMB Scrapped the Albino Concession

**2026 UTME: JAMB Cancels Albino Concessions as Registration Begins**

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, explained that investigations uncovered alarming levels of fraud linked to the albino concession scheme.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ briefing, Oloyede disclosed that thousands of candidates falsely declared themselves albinos, overwhelming the system and compromising the integrity of the examination process.

Further reports reveal that some candidates leveraged the concession to bypass standard biometric checks, while others used third-party assistance and artificial intelligence tools during registration, actions that fall squarely under examination malpractice.

Also read: Top 10 Remote Jobs Nigerians Can Do in 2025

JAMB noted that while the concession was designed as a humane intervention, its continued abuse posed a serious threat to fairness.

What This Means for 2026 UTME Candidates

With the concession scrapped, albino candidates will now register and sit for the UTME under the same conditions as all other candidates, using accredited CBT centres and standard biometric verification.

JAMB insists that the move does not amount to discrimination but rather a necessary step to protect the credibility of Nigeria’s tertiary admissions process.

As registration for the 2026 UTME officially begins, JAMB has reiterated its commitment to a transparent process and warned candidates against false declarations of any kind.

According to reports, the Board has strengthened verification measures and will impose sanctions on candidates found to have supplied misleading information during registration.

Beyond the albino concession issue, JAMB also used the opportunity to caution faith-based institutions against misrepresenting their status during accreditation and admission processes.

The Board warned schools that present themselves as secular but later impose religious rules on students, stressing the need for transparency.

Conclusion

JAMB’s decision to cancel special concessions for albino candidates marks a significant shift in its approach to inclusivity and examination integrity.

While the move may spark debate among advocacy groups, the Board maintains that safeguarding the UTME from abuse remains paramount. As the 2026 registration cycle unfolds, candidates are urged to comply strictly with guidelines and avoid any form of misrepresentation that could jeopardize their chances.

If you like what you read, you will want to turn on notiffications for new posts and follow us on X (formerly Twitter), @snehtv.