No fewer than 22,537,451 candidates registered for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry between 2015 and 2026, a report by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed.

Figures released by the board and obtained by The Tide indicated that the statistics were compiled while the 2026 DE registration exercise was still ongoing.

According to the data, UTME accounted for the highest number of registrations during the period, recording about 21.26 million candidates, while approximately 1.28 million applicants registered through DE.

The board’s records showed that 1,644,072 candidates registered in 2015, comprising 1,475,600 UTME candidates and 168,472 DE applicants.

In 2016, registrations increased to 1,764,859, with 1,592,462 candidates for UTME and 172,397 for DE.

A total of 1,882,559 candidates registered in 2017 cycle, including 1,722,269 for UTME and 160,290 for DE.

In 2018, the figure declined to 1,793,018, with 1,653,127 UTME and 139,891 DE candidates.

Registrations rose again in 2019 to 1,989,682, with 1,886,509 UTME and 103,173 DE applicants, and increased further in 2020 to 2,110,623, comprising 1,949,983 UTME and 160,640 DE candidates.

In 2021, the board recorded a drop to 1,428,209 total registrations, made up of 1,351,284 UTME and 76,925 Direct Entry applicants.

This was followed by a rebound in 2022, when 1,859,532 candidates registered, including 1,761,262 UTME and 98,270 DE.

The 2023 cycle saw registrations fall again to 1,635,673, with 1,595,779 UTME and 39,894 DE candidates.

However, numbers climbed in 2024 to 2,040,018, comprising 1,992,660 UTME and 47,358 DE registrations.

In 2025, a total of 2,093,329 candidates registered, made up of 2,031,754 UTME and 62,205 DE applicants.

For 2026, the board recorded 2,295,877 total registrations, consisting of 2,243,245 UTME and 52,632 DE candidates.

Meanwhile, JAMB and stakeholders in the tertiary education sector recently approved 150 as the minimum admission benchmark for universities for the 2026/2027 academic session.

The decision was reached on Monday during the 2026 annual policy meeting on admissions into tertiary institutions held in Abuja.

The meeting also adopted 100 as the minimum score for admission into polytechnics and colleges of education, while Colleges of Nursing fixed 150 as their admission benchmark.

The Rivers State Police Command has detained an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Ekawhe Thomas, over an alleged escape of a suspected criminal from the police custody.

The command said the officer was arrested as part of ongoing disciplinary measures initiated after the incident, while efforts have also been intensified to rearrest the fleeing suspect.

Spokesperson of the Command, Blessing Agabe, disclosed this in a statement issued last Friday.

According to the statement, preliminary findings from an internal review of the incident revealed that ASP Ekawhe Thomas, attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), was allegedly responsible for the lapse that led to the suspect’s escape.

The statement noted that the officer has since been taken into custody and would face formal interrogation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the development.

“Investigations were ongoing to determine what transpired during the handling of the suspect and whether established operational procedures were compromised”, it said.

The police image maker, in the statement, further explained that the Command had commenced a manhunt for the escaped suspect, whose whereabouts were still unknown as of the time of filing this report.

The command assured residents that tactical measures had already been put in place to ensure the suspect was tracked and apprehended.

Reacting to the incident, the State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, expressed displeasure over the development.

The commissioner, according to the statement, warned that the command would not tolerate negligence, misconduct, or abuse of office by any officer or personnel under its watch.

He maintained that any officer found culpable after the conclusion of the investigations would face appropriate sanctions in line with existing police regulations.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to professionalism, accountability, and the protection of citizens’ rights in the discharge of its duties.

The Police appealed to members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could aid the re-arrest of the fleeing suspect.

The statement also assured residents that the matter was being handled with utmost seriousness to prevent a recurrence of such incidents within the state.

 By: King Onunwor

?The Rivers State Government has expressed appreciation to the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) for its significant contributions to the growth and development of the state.

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?Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, said the Church remains a critical partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, moral values, and social harmony across society.

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?The Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, stated this during the thanksgiving service marking the 30th Anniversary and the First Session of the 11th Synod of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, Church of Nigeria, held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumuepirikom, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, yesterday.

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?Gov. Fubara noted that the theme of the Synod, “Kingdom Advancement: The Priority of Every Believer,” is timely and relevant to the current realities facing society.

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?According to him, the Church continues to play a vital role in shaping societal values and inspiring hope among citizens.

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?“The Church remains a vital partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, and moral discipline. Its role in shaping values and inspiring hope cannot be overemphasized,” he said.

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?He further acknowledged the contributions of the Anglican Communion in areas such as education, healthcare, youth empowerment, humanitarian services, and spiritual guidance.

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?“The Rivers State Government appreciates the invaluable contributions of the Anglican Communion in education, healthcare, youth development, humanitarian support, and spiritual guidance. Your impact across communities in Rivers State continues to strengthen families and promote peaceful coexistence among our people,” the Governor stated.

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?Gov. Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a peaceful, united, and prosperous Rivers State where every citizen can thrive regardless of their background or religious affiliation.

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?He also called on the Synod to continue praying for the sustainable development and progress of Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.

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?Earlier, the Guest Minister, Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Ijesa North-East, the Rt. Rev’d Joseph Olushola, speaking on the topic, ‘Kingdom Investment and Internal Rewards’, admonished faithful to  submit to the Lordship of God, remain faithful even in little and  always impact God’s kingdom.

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?”Every believer is a steward to the virtues given by God.  God rewards faithfulness not by how much we have but how much we give to men. God owns everything, we are only stewards,” he said.