JAMB Warns Candidates Against Errors in Name, Date of Birth During UTME, DE Registration

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has cautioned prospective candidates preparing for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) registration to exercise extreme care when creating their profiles, warning that seemingly insignificant errors at this stage could result in serious complications later in the admission process.

The board issued the warning in an advisory video released as part of its "JAMB Explained" content series, which was targeted at candidates preparing to begin the registration process. JAMB specifically identified discrepancies in candidates’ names and dates of birth as some of the errors capable of creating significant challenges during subsequent stages of their academic and admission journey.

The examination body advised prospective candidates to carefully examine and confirm all personal information associated with their National Identification Number (NIN) before proceeding with profile creation and registration. According to the board, verifying the information at the beginning of the process is crucial to avoiding problems that could emerge after registration has been completed.

JAMB explained that the personal information used for candidates’ registration is obtained from records held by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). The board stressed that it does not independently generate the identity information supplied to it by candidates and therefore relies on the data contained in the NIMC database.

The board consequently warned that candidates who proceed with registration without first identifying and correcting inaccuracies in their personal details may encounter difficulties afterwards. JAMB noted that once registration has been completed, it does not have the authority to independently alter incorrect name or date of birth information that was supplied through the candidate’s NIMC records.

JAMB also sought to correct what it described as a misconception among prospective candidates regarding the use of affidavits to resolve identity-related errors. The board cautioned candidates against assuming that simply obtaining an affidavit would automatically result in the correction of their records on the JAMB platform.

According to the examination body, candidates must ensure that their identity information is properly aligned before commencing the registration process, rather than waiting until after registration to attempt to resolve discrepancies.

JAMB further emphasised that the accuracy of candidates’ identity particulars from the outset forms the basis for the documentation and processes that will follow throughout their admission journey. Errors in fundamental details such as names and dates of birth could therefore affect subsequent documentation and create avoidable complications.

The board consequently urged all prospective UTME and Direct Entry candidates to thoroughly verify their personal information before moving ahead with profile creation and registration. Candidates were advised to ensure that every relevant detail is accurate and consistent with their NIMC records before beginning the process.

The warning is particularly important for candidates preparing to enter the admission process, as JAMB's registration procedures rely heavily on information retrieved from NIMC. The board has previously stressed that candidates should resolve discrepancies with NIMC before registration so that the corrected information can be reflected in their JAMB records.