By DAYO ADESULU
Ahead of the commencement of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration, the Abuja Zonal Director of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Mrs. Doom Mbachiatim, has hosted a delegation of the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) to strengthen coordination and ensure hitch-free electronic Personal Identification Number (e-PIN) vending.
The meeting, held on Monday, January 19, 2026, comes as UTME registration is scheduled to begin nationwide on Monday, January 26, 2026, across JAMB-accredited registration centres.
NIPOST Assures Readiness for e-PIN Distribution
Leading the NIPOST delegation, the FCT Post Manager, Mr. Tijani Idakwoji Balla, confirmed that the Service, as a participating financial institution in the 2026 UTME/DE registration exercise, had concluded all necessary preparations.
He disclosed that NIPOST staff had been strategically deployed to approved CBT centres across the Federal Capital Territory to facilitate seamless e-PIN vending for candidates.
According to him, the arrangements were designed to eliminate delays, ensure accessibility, and improve service delivery during the registration exercise.
Concerns Over Access to CBT Centres
Mr. Balla, however, raised concerns over past experiences where some JAMB-accredited CBT centres allegedly denied NIPOST officials access to their premises for e-PIN vending.
He appealed to the Abuja Zonal Office for prompt intervention to prevent a recurrence of such incidents during the 2026 registration exercise.
JAMB Warns Centres Against Obstruction
In her response, Mrs. Mbachiatim expressed appreciation to the NIPOST delegation for the visit and reaffirmed JAMB’s commitment to a transparent and inclusive registration process.
She warned that any accredited CBT centre found denying approved e-PIN vendors access would face decisive sanctions in line with the Board’s regulations.
According to her, such actions undermine the integrity of the registration process and inconvenience candidates.
Call for Proper Training of Vendors
The Zonal Director also urged NIPOST to ensure that all its vendors are adequately trained and properly supervised, stressing that service providers would be held accountable for the conduct of their personnel.
She noted that any action capable of compromising the credibility of the UTME registration exercise would attract sanctions.
Advocacy Visit to Secondary School
In a related development, the Abuja Zonal Office of JAMB carried out a sensitisation visit to Lightway Academy, Wuse 2, Abuja, on Friday, January 23, 2026, as part of efforts to educate prospective UTME candidates on the dos and don’ts of registration.
The advocacy session was aimed at guiding students against avoidable errors that could negatively affect their admission prospects.
School Commends JAMB’s Proactiveness
Speaking during the visit, the Executive Director of the Academy, Barrister Joyce Agbese, commended JAMB for its proactive engagement with candidates and stakeholders.
He encouraged the Board to sustain its outreach initiatives, describing JAMB as a beacon of hope within Nigeria’s education sector.
Ensuring Smooth UTME Registration
JAMB reiterated that continued collaboration with financial institutions, CBT centres, and educational stakeholders remains critical to delivering a seamless and credible 2026 UTME registration exercise.
The Board urged candidates and service providers alike to comply fully with established guidelines to ensure a smooth process nationwide.
#2026UTMERegistration #JAMB #NIPOST #ePINVending #UTME #EducationNews #NigeriaEducation
