JAMB Advisory on Dropping Registration Due to Mixed Data of Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released an important advisory for 2025 UTME candidates whose registration details were mixed up or contain major errors. This guideline explains how affected candidates can drop their registration and re-register correctly, as well as the sanctions for CBT centres and staff involved in such mistakes.

What JAMB Means by “Mixed Data of Candidates”

Mixed data occurs when a candidate’s biometric information or personal details are wrongly captured and linked to another candidate’s profile. This usually happens when:

Candidates move between registration points during biometric capture.
CBT centres fail to dedicate a specific biometric device to each registration point.
Registration officers are careless or do not follow JAMB’s instructions strictly.

JAMB has warned that these issues are still occurring despite previous training and directives to centres.

Who This Advisory Is For

This advisory is specifically for 2025 UTME candidates who:

Have mixed-up profiles (wrong biometrics or wrong details attached to their profile).
Have made major registration errors that cannot be corrected through normal data correction options.

It also applies to CBT centres and JAMB staff involved in the registration process, as there are penalties for mishandling candidate data.

Categories of Candidates and What to Do

JAMB divides affected candidates into two categories with different solutions.

1. Candidates Who Have Finalized Registration (Thumbprinted)

These are candidates who have already:

Completed registration.
Thumbprinted/endorsed their registration.

If such candidates later discover mixed data or serious registration errors, they can apply to drop their registration.

This process is called Dropping of Registration.
It attracts a fee of N2,500.

After the dropping request is approved, the candidate will be allowed to register again properly.

2. Candidates Who Have Not Finalized Registration (Not Thumbprinted)

These are candidates who:

Started registration but did not thumbprint or authorize the final submission.

For this category:

They can restart/reset their registration at no cost.
An advisory will be sent to guide them on how to redo the process.

This means no fee is required since the registration was not fully confirmed with a thumbprint.

Where Re-Registration Will Be Done

All re-registrations after dropping a registration will be handled only at JAMB Professional Registration Centres (PRC).

This ensures:

Better control and monitoring by JAMB.
Proper capturing of biometrics and data.
Reduced chances of repeated mixed data issues.

Candidates should not go back to any unreliable centre that caused the problem initially.

Penalties for CBT Centres

JAMB has also outlined strict consequences for centres where mixed data cases occur.

Mandatory Reporting:
Any centre where mixed registration occurs must report the incident to JAMB.
N5,000 Surcharge:
Such centres will be surcharged N5,000 for each incident.
Access Withdrawal for Non-Reporting:
If a centre fails to report a mixed registration case, its access will be withdrawn and it will be delisted by JAMB.
Delisting for Multiple Cases:
Even when a centre reports, if the number of occurrences exceeds five (5), the centre will still be delisted.

These measures are meant to force centres to follow proper procedures and protect candidates from registration problems.

Approval Process for Dropping Registration

All applications for Dropping of Registration must be approved by the Registrar of JAMB.

No centre or staff can approve this on their own.
Candidates must follow the official process via JAMB eFacility as described in the advisory.

Financial Accountability and Staff Sanctions

JAMB also addressed the role of its staff and the issue of extortion.

JAMB Staff Involvement:
Where a JAMB registration officer is responsible for the error, the surcharge amount will be deducted from the staff’s salary.
No Centre Should Pay on Behalf of Candidates:
Centres are not allowed to pay any fee on behalf of candidates to any JAMB staff.
Extortion Not Tolerated:
JAMB has noted reports that some people attempt to use this process as an avenue for extortion and has clearly stated that such acts will not be tolerated.

Candidates should only pay through official channels and keep evidence of payment.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for Dropping of Registration

Below is a simplified version of the official procedure outlined in the advisory.

Authorized Staff Logs In
A JAMB eFacility authorized staff member logs into their own eFacility profile.
Access Candidate’s eFacility Profile
The staff then logs into the candidate’s eFacility profile using the candidate’s GSM number.
Select the Correct Menu
On the left-hand side menu, they should select:
- “2025 UTME Registration” under
- the “Entry Dropping Application” menu.
View Candidate Details
The candidate’s registration details will be displayed on the screen.
Give Consent and Proceed to Payment
The candidate should:
- Tick the consent checkbox.
- Click the Payment button.
Complete Payment
Once payment of N2,500 is completed, the approval process is automatically initiated.
Wait for Notification
The candidate will be notified via email and SMS whether the application has been approved or rejected.
Re-register After Approval
After approval, the candidate can proceed to re-register using the same profile code, ePIN, and phone number.

Important Tips for Candidates

To avoid mixed data and registration problems in the first place, candidates should:

Stay at one registration point and avoid moving around during biometric capture.
Confirm all details (name, date of birth, state, LGA, subjects, etc.) before thumbprinting.
Use only accredited JAMB CBT centres and PRCs.
Report any suspicious behaviour, extortion, or errors immediately.

Following these precautions reduces the chances of having to go through the dropping and re-registration process.

Conclusion

The JAMB advisory on dropping registration due to mixed data of candidates is designed to protect genuine candidates and maintain the integrity of the UTME process. By understanding the categories of affected candidates, the N2,500 dropping fee, the PRC-only re-registration rule, and the step-by-step eFacility procedure, candidates can correct serious registration errors without losing their admission chances.

Candidates, centres, and staff are all strongly advised to follow these guidelines strictly and “be guided, please,” as stated by the Registrar, Prof. Is-haq O. Oloyede.