JAMB shifts the arrival time for the first 2027 UTME session from 6:30am to 7:30am to protect student safety.
The government body responsible for university entrance exams in Nigeria, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has changed the arrival time for students writing the first morning paper for the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
In a new decision announced to the public on September 15, 2026, students writing the early morning session will no longer need to reach their Computer Based Test (CBT) centers by 6:30 a.m.
Instead, JAMB has officially moved the arrival time to 7:30 in the morning, giving all candidates one extra hour to travel safely. Under this updated timetable, candidates will arrive by 7:30 am, while the actual examination will start at 8:30 am and end by 10:30 am.
The main reason why JAMB made this important change is to protect young students from danger and help families who travel far to reach exam halls.
In past years, many parents and students complained that forcing children to move before sunrise was very risky because of bad roads and dangerous early morning transport.
Leaders of the exam board met in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, for their special management meeting to discuss ways to make exams better and safer for everyone.
During the meeting, officials agreed that shifting the time would stop candidates from missing their papers simply because they could not find buses in the dark.
See Also: Senator Shehu Buba Submits Himself To DSS, Police, And DIA Over Banditry Allegations
The official spokesman for JAMB, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, explained the decision in an official statement released to journalists.
Explaining why the board decided to move the time, Dr. Fabian Benjamin said, “The adjustment is aimed at addressing concerns over the safety and logistical difficulties faced by candidates who are required to travel very early in the morning, particularly those journeying considerable distances to their assigned CBT centres.”
He also added that the board listened carefully to what parents and the public were saying about early morning travel risks.
Dr. Benjamin stated, “During the retreat, the Board considered concerns raised by members of the public regarding the implications of the previous early arrival time, including the challenges candidates may face travelling before dawn.”
Showing that the board wants every student to write the exam without extra stress, the spokesman noted, “Management consequently determined that a later arrival time would enhance the safety, convenience and overall examination experience of candidates, while potentially reducing absenteeism arising from difficulties associated with the earlier schedule.”
Giving reassurance to students about future preparations, he added, “JAMB intends to apply lessons from previous examinations and implement decisions reached at the retreat to deliver a more efficient, seamless and candidate friendly UTME.”
Reports confirm that this change only affects the first morning batch, while afternoon exam sessions will stay on their normal schedule.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
