The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has adjusted the commencement time for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Jos, Plateau State, citing the ongoing curfew in the city. The examination, scheduled to run from April 16 to April 25, will now begin at 9am in Jos instead of the earlier 8.30am. JAMB spokesperson, Benjamin Fabian, disclosed this after a press briefing at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said the adjustment was necessary to ensure candidates do not leave their homes during curfew hours. According to him, the board held a stakeholders’ meeting in Jos involving the Commissioner of Police, other security agencies, and religious leaders to address tensions and ensure a peaceful exercise. “We made the adjustment so candidates don’t come out too early.

The police have made adequate preparations, and we are confident the examination will proceed smoothly,” Fabian said. He added that discussions were ongoing on a possible review of the curfew. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has dismissed rumours about threats to candidates’ safety as unfounded, assuring the public of robust security arrangements nationwide.

Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, said additional personnel, including rapid response teams, had been deployed to examination centres. “Extra security has been put in place, both overtly and covertly, to prevent any untoward incidents,” he said. He urged candidates to comply with guidelines and avoid spreading unverified information.