JAMB suspends exam towns selection
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a temporary suspension of exam town choices for candidates registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Ekiti State, a move the board says is aimed at correcting irregularities in the state’s exam town configuration and improving access for candidates. 
In a statement issued in Abuja by JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, the board said the decision was taken to allow it restructure examination towns in the state “to ensure closer proximity to candidates and reduce transportation challenges on examination days.” 
This announcement means one thing right now: candidates registering in Ekiti cannot select any examination town in Ekiti until JAMB completes the adjustments, which the board says should be concluded “shortly.” 
But beyond the administrative language, the bigger issue is trust. For thousands of candidates and parents, a change like this in the middle of registration raises understandable anxiety: Will this affect my registration? Will I lose my preferred CBT centre? Will it delay my exam?
This explainer breaks down what the suspension means, why JAMB says it had to act, what candidates should do next, and what the board must do to avoid confusion. JAMB suspends exam towns selection
What JAMB Actually Suspended
JAMB did not suspend UTME registration in Ekiti. What it suspended is the exam towns selection option for Ekiti candidates during registration, because of what it describes as “structural anomalies” detected in the configuration of the state’s examination towns. 
In normal UTME registration, candidates are allowed to choose an exam town closest to their location, mainly to reduce travel time, transport cost, and last-minute stress on the exam day. That choice matters because the town selection often determines the pool of centres a candidate might eventually be assigned.
So when JAMB suspends exam towns selection, the problem is not just technical. It can change how candidates plan their registration process, especially those rushing to register early to secure a convenient location.
To be clear, JAMB suspends exam towns selection only for Ekiti State, and only while it completes an internal restructuring process. 
Why JAMB Says It Took This Step
JAMB’s explanation is direct: registration for the 2026 UTME began before the board detected anomalies in Ekiti’s examination towns configuration, and those anomalies required urgent adjustments “in the interest of candidates.” 
This is crucial. The board is saying that if it allows candidates continue selecting towns under a flawed setup, candidates might end up being assigned to centres that are far away, poorly matched, or logistically inconvenient, which defeats the whole idea of town selection.
In other words: JAMB suspends exam towns selection to prevent candidates from being locked into a broken map.
https://ogelenews.ng/jamb-suspends-exam-towns-selection-ekiti-2026-utme
Why “Proximity” Has Become a Big Deal
JAMB’s emphasis on proximity is not cosmetic. UTME candidates have complained for years about:
• long-distance travel to CBT centres
• unexpected changes in centre location
• high transport costs, especially for candidates in rural or semi-urban communities
• candidates arriving late due to traffic or unfamiliar routes
When JAMB says the Ekiti restructuring is meant to reduce transportation challenges, it is responding to one of the most common pain points in the UTME experience. 
And this is why JAMB suspends exam towns selection is not necessarily a negative development. If it is truly about cleaning up anomalies and bringing centres closer, it could reduce travel-related exam stress for candidates across Ekiti.
But the key word is “if.”
What Candidates in Ekiti Should Do Right Now
The most practical advice is simple and calm:
1. Do not panic-register blindly.
If you are in Ekiti and you can’t select an exam town, do not rush into decisions based on rumours. JAMB itself says the suspension is temporary and will be concluded shortly. 
2. Use only official or accredited registration points.
The risk in moments like this is that candidates get misled by unapproved agents or cybercafés that claim they can “bypass” the system. That can create errors you’ll spend weeks fixing.
3. Follow JAMB’s updates closely.
JAMB says it continuously monitors its operations and addresses challenges promptly. 
You should rely on JAMB’s official communication channels and verified media updates, not WhatsApp forwarded messages.
4. Keep your registration details clean.
Whether you register now or later, make sure your biodata, subject combination, and profile are correct, because those errors hurt far more than a delayed town selection.
The bottom line is that JAMB suspends exam towns selection does not mean you have lost your opportunity. It means the board is trying to fix the structure before candidates are locked into choices that will harm them later.
The Real Risk: Confusion and Opportunists
Whenever a national exam body tweaks processes mid-stream, an information gap opens, and opportunists rush in.
You will likely see claims like:
• “Ekiti candidates must register in another state”
• “You must pay to unlock exam towns”
• “JAMB has cancelled Ekiti centres”
• “Registration will be invalid if done now”
None of these claims should be believed unless JAMB says so.
This is why communication matters. If JAMB has suspended town selection, it must be extremely clear about:
• whether candidates should pause registration
• whether candidates who register now will later select towns
• whether new towns will be added or rearranged
• whether any candidates will be shifted outside Ekiti automatically
As it stands, JAMB only says the process will be concluded shortly and candidates cannot select any town in Ekiti during the adjustment period. 
What JAMB Must Get Right Next
A temporary suspension can be a smart correction. But only if the fix is fast and transparent.
Three things JAMB must do to maintain confidence:
1. Publish a clear timeline and guidance.
Not a vague “shortly,” but a real update that tells candidates what to expect.
2. Explain what the “structural anomalies” were.
JAMB does not need to publish technical diagrams, but it should explain in plain language whether the anomaly was about town grouping, centre distribution, or assignment patterns. 
3. Protect candidates from forced long-distance assignments.
The entire point of the intervention is to prevent transport hardship. JAMB should prove the intervention worked by ensuring Ekiti candidates are assigned fairly and close to home.
If JAMB gets this right, the story will end as a rare example of preventive administration in Nigeria’s exam ecosystem.
The Bottom Line
For now, the fact remains: JAMB suspends exam towns selection for 2026 UTME candidates in Ekiti to restructure exam towns, correct anomalies, and improve proximity for candidates on exam day. 
Candidates should stay calm, use accredited channels, ignore rumours, and wait for JAMB’s completion notice before making assumptions about centre assignment.
https://punchng.com/jamb-suspends-exam-towns-selection-for-2026-utme-candidates-in-ekiti
JAMB suspends exam towns selection
