An Ekiti State candidate who sat for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in Ogun State has emerged as Nigeria's highest scoring candidate, posting 372 out of 400 marks and choosing the University of Lagos to study Medicine and Surgery.

JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the 2026 admission policy meeting, confirming that Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin's score trails the 2025 record of 374, set by Okeke Chinedu Christian of Anambra State, by two marks.

Enwere Kingsley Ikenna from Imo State, who sat the examination in Lagos, placed second with 370 marks and chose Nile University, Abuja, to study Computer Science. Bamisile Ayomide Emmanuel from Ondo State came third with 369, selecting the Federal University of Technology, Akure, to study Software Engineering.

Five candidates tied for fourth position with 368 marks each: Olabiyisi Olanrewaju Oluwatimileyin of Oyo State, who chose Pan Atlantic University for Mechatronics Engineering; Victor Onyeka Daniel Ifeanyi of Imo State, who opted for the University of Port Harcourt to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Osagiobare Daniel Osahenrumwen of Edo State, who chose the University of Benin for Mechanical Engineering; Ademiluyi Adebowale Anthony of Osun State, who selected Obafemi Awolowo University for Computer Engineering; and Azuike Kenechukwu Anthony of Anambra State, who picked Afe Babalola University for Software Engineering.

Three candidates scored 367: Offorkile Michael Okechukwu of Abia State, who sat in Anambra and chose Computer Science; Adebisi Eniola Sonari of Ogun State, who sat in Osun and chose Covenant University for Computer Science; and Umukoro Gift Orhenevovwero of Delta State, who sat in Edo and selected the University of Lagos for Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

Beyond scores, the policy meeting produced firm admission deadlines for the 2026 cycle. Stakeholders unanimously agreed that public Universities must conclude admissions by October 31, 2026, private Universities by November 30, 2026, and polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education by December 31, 2026. Oloyede warned that any institution that fails to meet its deadline will lose access to candidates for that session.

Successful candidates must accept their admission offers within four weeks, the registrar stated, adding that failure to do so would result in withdrawal of the offer and possible ineligibility for further consideration in that session.

Oloyede also announced that JAMB would introduce a "Bring Your Own Device" option for the UTME from 2027, allowing candidates to use personal devices with a flash drive inserted to prevent malpractice. He noted the measure would reduce costs, ease management, and address longstanding complaints about computers failing during examinations.