The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has suspended the selection of examination towns for candidates registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) who intend to sit the examination in Ekiti State.
According to JAMB, the temporary suspension has become necessary to enable the Board restructure the examination towns to ensure closer proximity to candidates, thereby easing transportation challenges on examination days when centres are assigned.
Dr Fabian Benjamin, Public Communication Advisor of JAMB, who announced this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, however, said candidates are generally allowed to select examination towns of their choice, particularly those closest to their locations.
He explained that the 2026 UTME registration commenced before the Board detected certain structural anomalies in the configuration of examination towns in Ekiti state, necessitating urgent adjustments in the interest of candidates.
“Consequently, candidates will be unable to select any examination town in Ekiti State while the adjustment process is ongoing. This process is expected to be concluded shortly.
“The board regrets any inconvenience this temporary measure may cause candidates wishing to select examination towns in the ongoing registration exercise in Ekiti State.
“As a matter of practice, JAMB continuously monitors its operations and promptly addresses challenges reported by candidates,” Benjamin stated.
He noted that JAMB remains committed to making necessary improvements to its processes to ensure that all candidates are treated with dignity and respect.
More in the news in Ekiti State
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration process has taken an unexpected turn following the decision of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to suspend the selection of examination towns in Ekiti State.
The announcement triggered confusion, panic, and intense speculation among thousands of candidates, parents, CBT operators, and school administrators across Ekiti and neighbouring states.
For many candidates, Ekiti is not just a state of origin but also a preferred examination location due to proximity, affordability, safety, and familiarity. The sudden inability to select exam towns within the state raised urgent questions:
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Is Ekiti banned from 2026 UTME?
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Will candidates be forced to write UTME outside the state?
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Are Ekiti CBT centres disqualified?
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Will this affect admission chances?
This in-depth Naijamixed report explains everything in clear terms — what happened, why JAMB took this action, how it affects candidates, the official Ekiti CBT exam centres for 2026 UTME registration, and what candidates must do to avoid mistakes.
Breaking Update: What JAMB Actually Suspended
Contrary to rumours spreading online, JAMB did NOT suspend UTME registration in Ekiti State.
What JAMB suspended is:
❌ Selection of examination towns in Ekiti State
What remains active:
✅ Profile code generation
✅ Purchase of JAMB e-PIN
✅ Registration in other states
✅ UTME registration nationwide
This distinction is very important.
Understanding Exam Towns vs CBT Centres
Many candidates panic because they misunderstand what an exam town means.
Simple Explanation
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Exam Town | A group of CBT centres within a local area |
| CBT Centre | The actual building where UTME is written |
When you choose Ado-Ekiti as an exam town, JAMB later assigns you to one CBT centre within Ado-Ekiti.
So when town selection is suspended, no CBT centre in that town can be chosen yet.
Why JAMB Suspended Exam Town Selection in Ekiti
JAMB stated that it discovered structural and logistical anomalies in the configuration of Ekiti examination towns.
Key Problems Identified
1. Overcrowding in Certain Towns
Some towns reached capacity too quickly, while others were underused.
2. Uneven Candidate Distribution
Candidates from distant LGAs were being clustered into a few towns.
3. Centre Capacity Mismatch
Some CBT centres listed did not align properly with the number of candidates assigned.
4. Accessibility Concerns
JAMB policy requires centres to be reasonably close to candidates, which was not being met.
5. Prevention of Exam-Day Chaos
Late arrivals, transport failure, and missed exams are common results of poor town planning.
Rather than wait until examination day, JAMB decided to pause and fix the issue early.
Is Ekiti the First State This Has Happened To?
No.
In previous UTME years, JAMB has temporarily adjusted:
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Centre allocations
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Town groupings
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State-wide exam logistics
The difference in 2026 is that JAMB acted earlier during registration, which is actually a sign of improved planning.
How This Affects 2026 UTME Candidates in Ekiti
Immediate Effects
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Candidates cannot choose Ekiti exam towns for now
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Some CBT centres cannot complete registrations
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Confusion among first-time candidates
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Increased traffic at CBT centres for enquiries
Short-Term Effects
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Possible redirection to neighbouring states (if candidate insists)
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Delay in completing registration
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Rush once Ekiti towns reopen
Long-Term Benefits
If restructuring is done correctly, candidates will enjoy:
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Shorter travel distance
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Better exam timing
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Reduced stress
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Fairer centre allocation
Official Ekiti CBT Exam Centres for 2026 UTME Registration
⚠️ Important Notice:
CBT centres are approved yearly by JAMB.
The list below reflects recognized and recurring JAMB-accredited CBT centres in Ekiti, subject to final 2026 confirmation by JAMB.
Ado-Ekiti CBT Centres
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JAMB Professional Test Centre (PTC), Ado-Ekiti
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Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti CBT Centre
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Ekiti State University (EKSU) CBT Centre
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College of Education Ikere-Ekiti CBT Annex (Ado axis)
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Private Accredited CBT Centres approved by JAMB
Ikere-Ekiti CBT Centres
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College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti CBT Centre
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Government-Approved Private CBT Centres
Ikole-Ekiti CBT Centres
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Federal College of Education (Technical), Ikole-Ekiti CBT Centre
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Selected Accredited Private CBT Centres
Oye-Ekiti CBT Centres
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Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) CBT Centre
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Partner Accredited CBT Facilities
Other Recognized Ekiti Locations (Subject to Capacity)
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Ijero-Ekiti
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Ilawe-Ekiti
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Efon-Alaaye
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Emure-Ekiti
⚠️ Final assignment of centres is done solely by JAMB, not CBT operators.
Will These Centres Be Used for 2026 UTME?
Yes — once town restructuring is completed.
JAMB did NOT delist Ekiti CBT centres.
They are only reorganizing how candidates are distributed among them.
What Ekiti Candidates Should Do Right Now
✅ 1. Stay Calm
Panic leads to costly mistakes.
✅ 2. Do NOT Pay Anyone to “Fix” It
No agent can unlock Ekiti towns.
✅ 3. Keep Your Profile Code Safe
You can complete registration later.
✅ 4. Follow Official JAMB Channels
Ignore rumours on WhatsApp groups.
✅ 5. Register Only at Accredited CBT Centres
Avoid roadside cyber cafés.
Can Ekiti Candidates Choose Another State?
Yes, but it is not advisable unless necessary.
Risks of Choosing Another State
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Long travel distance
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Higher transport cost
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Possible accommodation expenses
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Exam-day fatigue
If you live in Ekiti, waiting is usually the smarter option.
Impact on Parents and Guardians
Parents are advised to:
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Avoid panic spending
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Discourage agents
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Verify every claim
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Support candidates emotionally
Many UTME failures happen outside the exam hall due to stress.
Impact on Schools and Tutorial Centres
Schools should:
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Educate students properly
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Share only verified information
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Help students avoid mistakes
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Prepare students academically while waiting
What This Means for UTME 2026 Nationwide
This incident shows that:
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JAMB is prioritizing logistics
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UTME planning is becoming more data-driven
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Candidate welfare is being taken seriously
Other states may experience similar adjustments if anomalies are discovered.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is Ekiti banned from 2026 UTME?
No.
Q2: Is UTME cancelled in Ekiti?
No.
Q3: Can I still register for UTME if I’m from Ekiti?
Yes.
Q4: Will JAMB reopen Ekiti exam towns?
Yes, according to JAMB.
Q5: Will this affect admission chances?
No.
Expert Advice to 2026 UTME Candidates
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Register early
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Avoid shortcuts
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Understand JAMB processes
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Prepare academically while issues are resolved
Admission success starts with correct registration.
Final Thoughts from Naijamixed
The suspension of exam town selection in Ekiti State is not a crisis, but a temporary administrative correction.
Candidates who remain calm, informed, and patient will be the biggest beneficiaries when the system is restored.
👉 Don’t rush
👉 Don’t panic
👉 Don’t listen to rumours
Conclusion
The decision by JAMB to suspend exam town selection during the 2026 UTME registration in Ekiti State highlights the Board’s determination to prevent logistical failures before examination day.
While the temporary pause has caused concern, it also ensures that candidates will write their exams in better-organized, closer, and fairer CBT centres.
As always, Naijamixed.com.ng will continue to provide accurate, student-friendly updates to guide candidates safely through the 2026 UTME process.
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