The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has moved the arrival time for candidates sitting the first session of the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
Under the revised arrangement, the first-session examination will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m., giving candidates an additional hour before reporting to their designated Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
JAMB announced the adjustment in its weekly bulletin released in Abuja, citing safety and logistical concerns linked to very early-morning journeys by candidates.
According to the board, the concern is particularly significant for candidates who live far from their assigned examination centres and may previously have had to leave their homes before dawn to meet the 6:30 a.m. arrival requirement.
JAMB said the decision was reached following deliberations at its 2026 Management and Information Technology Retreat, held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, from September 6 to 11.
The retreat considered concerns raised by members of the public about the implications of the earlier reporting time, including the difficulties and safety risks candidates could face while travelling to examination centres in the early hours.
By moving the arrival time to 7:30 a.m., the board said it expects to improve the safety and convenience of candidates and potentially reduce absenteeism caused by difficulties associated with the previous schedule.
However, JAMB clarified that the adjustment applies to the first examination session, while other sessions will continue to operate under the board’s established scheduling arrangements.
The timing change formed part of several issues considered during the five-day retreat, which brought together JAMB management, state coordinators, heads of outstation offices and other relevant stakeholders.
Participants reviewed measures aimed at improving the efficiency, safety and credibility of the UTME, as well as the overall experience of candidates taking the examination.
JAMB said the discussions were particularly important given the growing scale and operational complexity of the annual examination, which requires extensive coordination across CBT centres and other locations nationwide.
Although the 2027 UTME remains months away, the board said preparations have already begun. It said lessons from previous examinations would be applied alongside decisions reached during the retreat to strengthen the administration of the 2027 exercise.
JAMB said its broader objective is to deliver an examination that is more efficient, seamless, safe and candidate-friendly.
Candidates and members of the public were advised to take note of the revised first-session reporting and examination times and await further official communication on the complete 2027 UTME timetable and other arrangements.
