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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set the timeline for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration, commencing on January 26, 2026, and concluding on February 28, 2026, at accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers nationwide.

This announcement provides prospective candidates with a one-month window to complete the process, ensuring ample time for preparation ahead of the main examination.

Registration must be conducted exclusively at JAMB-approved CBT centers to avoid issues with authenticity and compliance. The board has emphasized the importance of adhering to this guideline, as previous years have seen cases of fraud at unauthorized locations. Candidates are advised to verify center accreditation through JAMB’s official website or offices.

The UTME is a critical requirement for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. For 2026, JAMB has maintained its focus on efficiency, with potential mock exams scheduled for March 28, 2026, for those who opt in by February 16. The main examination dates are expected to be rolled out later, typically falling between April and May, based on historical patterns.

Direct Entry (DE) registration will run separately, from March 10 to April 7, 2026, catering to applicants with higher qualifications seeking direct admission. The cost for UTME registration remains around ₦6,200, covering the form, e-PIN, and compulsory novel, though candidates should confirm the exact fee at CBT centers.

JAMB has introduced measures to enforce age eligibility, aligning with educational policies. This year’s process builds on 2025’s improvements, including enhanced biometric verification to curb impersonation.

Prospective students are encouraged to gather required documents, such as National Identification Number (NIN), O’Level results, and passport photographs, in advance. The board’s portal will open on the start date for online profile creation.

This development signals the beginning of the 2026 admission cycle, with JAMB urging all stakeholders to support a smooth exercise.

“The 2026 admission cycle coincides with campus safety concerns, such as universities banning Neolife and FHG groups.”

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a significant victory in its anti-drug campaign with the seizure of 30 kilograms of heroin concealed in coffee packs at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Nigeria.

A Brazilian woman, identified as the courier, was arrested on January 23, 2026, during a routine screening of incoming luggage, marking a major blow to international drug trafficking networks targeting Nigeria.

The operation unfolded when NDLEA officers intercepted the suspect’s baggage from São Paulo, Brazil, on an Ethiopian Airlines flight. Upon inspection, the agency discovered the heroin expertly hidden inside sealed coffee packages, designed to evade detection.

The street value of the seized substance is estimated at over ₦10 billion, highlighting the scale of the attempted importation. The Brazilian national, who was traveling alone, has been taken into custody for further interrogation, with investigations underway to uncover potential accomplices in Nigeria and abroad.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrest, stating that the agency remains committed to disrupting drug supply chains at entry points.

This seizure follows a series of successful interdictions at Nigerian airports, including recent busts at Lagos and Abuja involving cocaine and other narcotics. The operation demonstrates NDLEA’s enhanced use of advanced scanning technology and intelligence sharing with international partners like Brazil and the UNODC.

The incident underscores the persistent challenge of drug trafficking through African routes, with Nigeria serving as a key transit hub for heroin from South America to Europe and Asia.

Authorities have linked such imports to rising crime rates and health issues in local communities. The arrested woman faces charges under the NDLEA Act, with a court appearance pending.

This development reinforces Nigeria’s role in global anti-drug efforts, as NDLEA continues to collaborate with international agencies to combat transnational crime.

The driver accused in the car crash that injured boxer Anthony Joshua and killed two others appeared in a Nigerian court on January 20, 2026, as the star’s uncle publicly questioned whether the trial is “really worth it.”

The hearing at the Federal High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, addressed charges of manslaughter and reckless driving against the driver, identified as the one operating the Lexus SUV involved in the December 29, 2025, collision on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The incident occurred near Sagamu when a burst tire caused the vehicle to veer into a stationary truck, resulting in the deaths of two occupants and minor injuries to Joshua. Joshua, who was visiting family in his ancestral hometown, was discharged from the hospital shortly after but has since returned to the UK for recovery.

His uncle, speaking to reporters outside the court, expressed frustration over the legal process, stating, “Is this really worth it? We lost two lives, but dragging this out… it’s tough for everyone involved.

The driver, charged under Sections 324 and 319 of the Criminal Code Act, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of N10 million with two sureties.

The case has highlighted ongoing road safety concerns in Nigeria, particularly on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, known for frequent accidents due to poor maintenance and reckless driving. Joshua’s family has emphasized the tragedy’s impact, noting the loss of close relatives in the crash.

This development follows Joshua’s initial statements expressing gratitude for surviving and condolences for the victims. The trial’s outcome remains pending, with the next hearing scheduled for February 2026. The case continues to draw attention to judicial processes in high-profile incidents involving international figures.

“The incident occurred near Sagamu when a burst tire caused the vehicle to veer into a stationary truck, resulting in the deaths of two occupants and minor injuries to Joshua, as reported in our initial coverage.”

Gunmen carried out coordinated attacks on three churches in the Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria, on January 18, 2026, abducting more than 150 worshippers during Sunday services. The assailants, suspected to be bandits, stormed the churches in broad daylight, opening fire to create panic before rounding up the victims and fleeing into the surrounding bushes.

Kaduna State Police confirmed the incident, stating that over 100 individuals, including women and children, were taken hostage. The attacks occurred at ECWA churches in the Tiv-dominated area, with gunmen arriving on motorcycles and vehicles, shooting indiscriminately to scatter the congregation.

Local sources reported that the bandits targeted the worshippers specifically, abducting them for potential ransom or as part of ongoing ethnic tensions in the region.

This event marks one of the largest mass abductions in recent Kaduna history, exacerbating the state’s ongoing security crisis. Kajuru LGA has been a hotspot for banditry, with frequent raids on villages and highways leading to dozens of deaths and kidnappings annually. Security forces, including the police and military, have launched a joint operation to track the gunmen and rescue the victims, but challenges like the dense forest terrain have slowed progress.

The abductions come amid heightened insecurity in North-Central Nigeria, where bandit groups have increasingly targeted religious sites and communities.

Local leaders and residents have called for immediate government intervention, criticizing the lack of adequate protection for vulnerable areas. The incident has drawn condemnation from national figures, with demands for swift action to prevent further attacks.

This event marks one of the largest mass abductions in recent Kaduna history, exacerbating the state’s ongoing security crisis, similar to the bandit attack in Idofin community. Local leaders have called for intervention, echoing Tinubu’s recent security directive on forest operations after Niger attacks.”

As search and rescue efforts continue, the fate of the abducted worshippers remains uncertain, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced security measures in Kaduna and similar regions.