The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced the commencement of registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), signalling the start of the 2026 admission cycle into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
According to the Board, all necessary preparations have been completed to ensure a smooth and orderly registration exercise for candidates across the country and in foreign centres. JAMB has therefore urged prospective candidates to strictly use only approved Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, professional registration centres, and JAMB offices when registering.
The announcement was made during a meeting with key stakeholders in the education sector, where the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, provided detailed guidelines on the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry (DE) registration process.
Candidates Advised to Resolve NIN Biodata Issues Early
Professor Oloyede reiterated that candidates with discrepancies in their personal details, particularly names and dates of birth, must resolve such issues with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) before attempting UTME registration.
He explained that JAMB relies solely on data generated from the National Identification Number (NIN) system and will not process corrections from any other source. As a result, candidates who fail to correct errors in their NIN records may encounter difficulties during registration or admission processing.
JAMB has consistently maintained that accuracy of biodata is critical, as details submitted during registration form the foundation for examination records and admission decisions.
UTME Registration Timeline for 2026
JAMB confirmed that registration for the 2026 UTME, including candidates sitting for the examination from foreign countries, will run from Monday, January 26, 2026, to Saturday, February 28, 2026.
In preparation for registration, the sale of e-PINs for UTME candidates commenced earlier on Monday, January 19, 2026, and will end on Thursday, February 26, 2026. The Board noted that the registration exercise itself will officially close on Saturday, February 28, 2026, after which no UTME registration will be accepted.
Candidates are advised to complete their registration early to avoid last-minute challenges, overcrowding at centres, or technical delays.
Direct Entry Registration to Begin in March
For candidates seeking admission through Direct Entry, JAMB announced a separate registration window. The sale of Direct Entry application documents and e-PINs for the 2026 admission year will begin on Monday, March 2, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Unlike UTME registration, Direct Entry forms will be sold only at JAMB zonal and state offices nationwide. This measure, according to the Board, is aimed at improving documentation verification and reducing errors associated with DE applications.
Direct Entry candidates are required to present their academic qualifications, such as NCE, ND, HND, or recognised degrees, as awaiting result is not accepted for DE registration.
Breakdown of 2026 JAMB Registration Fees
The JAMB Registrar also announced the approved e-PIN categories and costs for the 2026 exercise.
Three options are available to candidates:
Direct Entry (DE): ₦5,700
UTME without Mock: ₦7,200
UTME with Mock: ₦8,700
According to Professor Oloyede, these charges cover the JAMB application fee of ₦3,500, reading text fee of ₦1,000, CBT centre registration service charge of ₦700, CBT UTME service charge of ₦1,500, bank charges of ₦500, and an additional ₦1,500 for candidates who opt for the Mock-UTME.
JAMB emphasised that these fees are fixed and uniform nationwide, and candidates should report any centre charging above the approved rates.
UTME and Mock Examination Dates Announced
On the examination timetable, the Board confirmed that the 2026 UTME will be conducted from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25, 2026.
The optional Mock-UTME, designed to familiarise candidates with the CBT environment, is scheduled to hold on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Candidates who choose to participate in the mock examination are encouraged to use the opportunity to understand the examination format and identify areas needing improvement ahead of the main UTME.
Warning Issued to CBT Centres
JAMB used the occasion to issue a strong warning to CBT centre operators against fraudulent practices, including extortion of candidates and the sale of services beyond approved charges.
Professor Oloyede stated that any CBT centre found engaging in such practices would have its licence withdrawn and face prosecution. He further cautioned centre owners to ensure that their staff members are properly screened and monitored.
According to the Registrar, CBT centre proprietors will be held fully responsible for the actions of their ad-hoc staff during the 2026 UTME exercise, and ignorance will not be accepted as a defence.
Guidance for Candidates and Parents
As the 2026 UTME registration officially begins, candidates and parents are advised to rely only on verified information from JAMB and trusted education platforms. Registration should be completed early, personal details carefully reviewed, and only approved centres used.
Ngempower.com will continue to provide accurate updates, practical guidance, and verified information to help Nigerian students and families navigate the JAMB registration and admission process confidently and correctly.
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