JAMB Opens Registration for 2026 UTME with Revised Fees and Detailed Timelines
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has officially commenced the registration process for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, releasing comprehensive timelines, revised fee structures, and operational guidelines for candidates across Nigeria and beyond.
Registration Periods for UTME and Direct Entry Candidates
According to JAMB Registrar Professor Is-haaq Oloyede, the board has established distinct registration windows for different categories of applicants. The UTME registration period for both domestic and international candidates opened on Monday, January 26, 2026, and will continue until Saturday, February 28, 2026.
Professor Oloyede clarified that while registration officially began on January 26, the vending of e-PINs actually commenced earlier on January 19, 2026, and will conclude on Thursday, February 26, 2026, two days before the registration portal closes.
For candidates pursuing the Direct Entry route, the board has established a separate timeline. The sale of application documents and e-PIN vending for the 2026 Direct Entry exercise will begin on Monday, March 2, 2026, and run through Saturday, April 25, 2026. Direct Entry registration will be conducted exclusively at JAMB zonal offices and state offices nationwide.
Revised Fee Structure for 2026 Examinations
The board has introduced three distinct categories of e-PINs for the 2026 examination cycle, each with specific pricing:
- Direct Entry application: N5,700
- UTME only without mock examination: N7,200
- UTME with mock examination: N8,700
Professor Oloyede explained that these charges encompass multiple components, including the application fee, prescribed reading text, CBT centre registration service, UTME service charge, bank processing fees, and the optional mock examination fee for those who choose to participate.
Examination Dates and Important Deadlines
The main UTME examination has been scheduled to take place between Thursday, April 16, and Saturday, April 25, 2026. For candidates who opt to take the mock examination, this optional test will be conducted on Saturday, March 28, 2026, providing an opportunity for practice before the actual examination.
Strict Guidelines and Enforcement Measures
The JAMB registrar emphasized several critical guidelines that candidates must follow during the registration process. Candidates experiencing issues with biodata, including errors in names or dates of birth, must resolve these matters with the National Identity Management Commission before attempting registration.
Professor Oloyede made it clear that JAMB will rely exclusively on data generated from NIMC and will not process corrections outside this official platform.
Candidates have been strongly advised to register only at approved CBT centres, professional registration centres, and official JAMB offices. The registrar issued a stern warning to CBT centre operators against extortion and unauthorized charges, stating that centres found guilty of such practices risk license withdrawal and potential prosecution.
Centre owners will be held directly responsible for the conduct of their staff members, and ignorance will not be accepted as a valid defence in cases of misconduct or violations.
Essential Requirements for Registration
Prospective candidates must ensure they have several key documents and information ready before beginning the registration process. These include:
- A valid National Identification Number issued by NIMC
- An active personal email address
- Other necessary personal documentation as specified by the board
The JAMB 2026 UTME forms will be available for purchase from January 31, 2026, through March 8, 2026, with all requirements and guidelines already published by the examination body.
