The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced the commencement of the sale of registration forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), marking the start of the admission process for candidates seeking entry into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
According to JAMB, all arrangements have been concluded to ensure a smooth and transparent registration exercise nationwide. Prospective candidates have been advised to register only at Board-approved Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, professional registration centres, and JAMB offices to avoid fraud and unnecessary complications.
Speaking during a meeting with critical stakeholders, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, stressed the importance of accurate biodata, particularly names and dates of birth. He advised candidates with discrepancies in their records to resolve such issues with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) before starting their UTME registration.
“JAMB will rely solely on data generated from NIMC and will not entertain corrections from any other source,” the Registrar warned.
UTME 2026 Registration Dates
Registration for the 2026 UTME, including candidates from foreign countries, will run from Monday, January 26, 2026, to Saturday, February 28, 2026.
The sale of e-PINs began earlier on Monday, January 19, 2026, and will end on Thursday, February 26, 2026, while registration officially closes on February 28, 2026.
For Direct Entry (DE) candidates, Prof. Oloyede announced that the sale of application documents and e-PIN vending will commence on Monday, March 2, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 25, 2026. He added that DE forms will only be sold at JAMB zonal and state offices nationwide.
UTME 2026 Fees Breakdown
JAMB disclosed that three categories of e-PINs are available for the 2026 exercise:
- Direct Entry (DE): ₦5,700
- UTME only (without Mock): ₦7,200
- UTME with Mock: ₦8,700
The fees cover the JAMB application fee, reading text, CBT registration charges, examination service fees, bank charges, and an additional fee for the optional Mock-UTME.
UTME and Mock Examination Dates
The 2026 UTME examination will take place from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25, 2026, while the optional Mock-UTME is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026.
UTME 2026 Registration Checklist for Candidates
Before heading to a CBT centre, candidates should ensure they have the following:
- A valid National Identification Number (NIN)
- Correct and verified NIMC biodata
- A functional phone number and email address
- Funds for the correct e-PIN category
- Choice of UTME subjects and institutions
- Awareness of approved CBT centres only
Warning to CBT Centres and Candidates
Prof. Oloyede issued a strong warning to CBT centre operators against extortion, overcharging, and fraudulent practices. He cautioned that any centre found guilty would lose its licence and face prosecution.
He also advised candidates to report any centre that demands fees above approved rates, adding that centre owners will be held fully responsible for the actions of their staff during the examination process.
Education stakeholders say early preparation, accurate biodata, and strict adherence to JAMB guidelines will help candidates avoid common registration mistakes and improve their overall examination experience.
