The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced plans to introduce a “Bring Your Own Device” option for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination from 2027.
The announcement was made by the JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, during the 2026 policy meeting on admissions into tertiary institutions held in Abuja.
Candidates to Use Personal Devices
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Oloyede said candidates would be allowed to write the UTME with their personal devices.
However, he explained that strict security measures would still be implemented to prevent examination malpractice.
Candidates would be allowed to use their personal devices for the examination, but a flash drive would be inserted to prevent malpractice.
Furthermore, he stated that the initiative would reduce technical challenges experienced during the examination.
Also, he noted that the arrangement would also make the process easier to manage nationwide.
He explained that the option would be cheaper and easier to manage and would also address complaints from candidates who often report that their computer went off during the examination.
The innovation, according to him would improve convenience without affecting the credibility of the examination process.
According to him, this measure was designed to make the process more convenient while maintaining the integrity of the test.
Meanwhile, the registrar disclosed that more technological innovations would be introduced before the 2027 UTME cycle.
He, however, added that other innovations would also be introduced by 2027 for a seamless examination.
Ekiti Candidate Tops 2026 UTME
In addition, JAMB unveiled the highest-scoring candidates in the 2026 UTME during the policy meeting.
Mr Oloyede announced that Jesudunsin Owoeye from Ekiti State emerged as the highest scorer nationwide with 372 marks out of 400. The candidate reportedly sat for the examination in Ogun State.
Speaking on candidates’ performance in the 2026 UTME results, Mr Oloyede said that Jesudunsin Owoeye from Ekiti State, who sat for the examination in Ogun State, emerged the highest scorer with 372 out of the 400 marks.
He added that Ms Owoeye selected the University of Lagos as her first-choice institution. She intends to study Medicine and Surgery. Ms Owoeye chose the University of Lagos as her first choice to study medicine and surgery.
2026 Highest Score Falls Below 2025 Record
Meanwhile, JAMB noted that the 2026 highest score was slightly lower than the record set in 2025.
“The score is three points lower than the 2025 year’s top score of 375, recorded by Chinedu Okeke from Anambra State.”
Also, Ikenna Enwere from Imo State secured the second position with 370 marks. Also, Ikenna Enwere from Imo State came second with a score of 370. Mr Enwere reportedly wrote the examination in Lagos State. He selected Nile University as his first-choice institution to study Computer Science.
Similarly, Ayomide Bamisile from Ondo State emerged third with 369 marks. “In third place is Ayomide Bamisile from Ondo State with 369.” He chose the Federal University of Technology, Akure, to study Software Engineering.