JAMB Expands 2026 UTME Access with Eight International Examination Centers
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has made a significant announcement regarding the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), confirming that Nigerian candidates residing outside the country will have the opportunity to sit for the crucial examination in eight international locations. This strategic move aims to accommodate the growing number of Nigerian students and families living abroad while maintaining the integrity and accessibility of the national tertiary education entrance test.
Complete List of Approved International UTME Centers for 2026
According to the official statement released by JAMB, the Board has designated examination centers in eight cities across different continents. The comprehensive list includes:
- Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
- Accra, Ghana
- Banjul, The Gambia
- Beau, Sierra Leone
- Cotonou, Benin Republic
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- London, United Kingdom
This geographical spread ensures that Nigerian candidates across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe have reasonable access to examination facilities without needing to travel back to Nigeria specifically for the UTME.
Registration Process and Fee Structure for International Candidates
JAMB has established a clear registration protocol for candidates taking the examination outside Nigeria. The registration fee has been set at fifty United States Dollars ($50) or its equivalent in the local currency of each respective country. This standardized fee structure aims to simplify the payment process for candidates across different economic zones.
The Board has outlined specific registration procedures for international candidates:
- Candidates must download the official application documents directly from the JAMB website at www.jamb.gov.ng
- After completing the necessary forms, candidates should submit them along with the registration fee at designated centers in their host countries
- Alternatively, candidates have the option to complete the payment process online as indicated on the official website
Support System Through Nigerian Diplomatic Missions
A crucial aspect of this international examination arrangement involves the active participation of Nigerian diplomatic missions in each of the eight host cities. JAMB has confirmed that Nigerian Embassies and Missions in these locations will provide guidance and support to candidates throughout both the registration and examination processes.
Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of JAMB, emphasized the Board's commitment to ensuring that Nigerian candidates abroad receive proper assistance. The diplomatic missions will serve as primary contact points for candidates requiring clarification about registration procedures, examination venues, or any other logistical concerns related to the UTME process.
2026 UTME Registration Timeline and Domestic Arrangements
While announcing the international centers, JAMB also provided comprehensive details about the 2026 UTME registration timeline. The registration window officially opened on January 26, 2026 and will continue until February 28, 2026. This announcement was made during a meeting with State Commissioners for Education held in Lagos on January 24, 2026.
The Board has established a structured timeline for the entire examination process:
- Selection for mock examinations will close on February 16, 2026
- Direct Entry application documents and ePIN vending will open on March 2, 2026
- The Direct Entry registration window will close on April 25, 2026
Within Nigeria, JAMB has approved numerous Computer-Based Test centers across all 36 states to ensure widespread accessibility for domestic candidates. This dual approach—expanding international access while strengthening domestic infrastructure—demonstrates JAMB's comprehensive strategy to serve Nigerian students wherever they may be located.
Significance of International UTME Centers for Nigerian Education
This expansion of UTME centers to international locations represents a significant development in Nigerian educational policy. By creating examination opportunities outside Nigeria, JAMB acknowledges the global mobility of Nigerian families and students while maintaining the national standard for tertiary education admission.
The establishment of these eight international centers particularly benefits Nigerian students whose families reside abroad for professional, educational, or personal reasons. It eliminates the financial burden and logistical challenges of traveling to Nigeria specifically for the UTME, while ensuring these students remain connected to Nigeria's educational system.
This initiative also strengthens the relationship between Nigerian educational authorities and diplomatic missions abroad, creating a collaborative framework for supporting Nigerian citizens in foreign countries. As Nigerian students increasingly pursue educational opportunities both within and outside the country, such flexible examination arrangements become increasingly important for maintaining educational continuity and national educational standards.
