JAMB 2026 UTME Registration: Candidates Report Mixed Experiences Across Nigeria
Candidates from various geopolitical zones in Nigeria have shared their diverse experiences while registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the national entrance exam for tertiary institutions. The registration process, which opened on January 26, 2026, has revealed significant variations in cost, duration, and treatment at accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers.
Technical Challenges and Operational Issues
Ibrahim, a candidate from Adamawa State in the North-East region, reported spending an entire day at his CBT registration center. He began his registration on January 27, 2026, just one day after the portal opened. While he noted that processing his E-PIN took only two to three minutes and he did not experience system crashes, printer issues significantly slowed down the overall process.
In contrast, Janet, who registered in the Ogba area of Ikeja, Lagos State, completed her registration over three days from February 10 to 12. She received her E-PIN within two minutes and experienced no system crashes. However, she faced challenges with document uploads, as the scanning template was initially unclear and her first upload was rejected. Support staff eventually provided a clearer template that resolved the issue.
Treatment of Candidates and Registration Costs
Janet also highlighted harsh treatment from officials during her registration, stating that some staff were abusive and used inappropriate language. She emphasized that candidates were not treated well, which added to the stress of the registration process.
Registration costs varied significantly across different centers. Peter, who registered at the Holy Saviour CBT Centre in Ogun State, paid ₦11,000 instead of the official ₦7,200 fee. He explained that the center operated on a first-come, first-served basis, and he had to pay the higher amount to secure his spot. Similarly, James noted that lines were not a priority at his center, contributing to the chaotic environment.
Ifunaya, who registered in Edo State, had a more positive experience. She reported that all candidates were treated with respect during her registration on January 23, 2026, and she paid ₦10,200 in total without experiencing system crashes.
Additional Fees and Anonymity Concerns
An anonymous candidate from Kadwel, Kaduna State, started registration on January 28 and completed it the following day. He paid a total of ₦7,500, but was charged an extra ₦200 because he did not have a hard copy of his WAEC certificate. His biggest challenge was getting officials to accept the soft copy and then realizing he had to pay for it. Despite this, he noted that the system worked quite well during his registration.
JAMB's Oversight and Center Accreditation
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released an approved list of CBT centers for the 2026 UTME. Several centers across the country face suspension or delisting for failing to meet JAMB's standards. These delisted centers must reapply to regain accreditation for future examinations, highlighting JAMB's ongoing efforts to maintain quality and integrity in the registration process.
These mixed experiences underscore the challenges and inconsistencies in the UTME registration system, affecting candidates' preparation for one of Nigeria's most critical educational assessments.
