JAMB Opens 2026 UTME Registration Portal

Nigeria’s university entrance season has officially begun. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has opened sales for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. The move signals the start of another admission race for thousands of candidates nationwide.

The board said preparations are complete for a smooth process. It urged applicants to register only at approved CBT centres, professional registration points and JAMB offices. This directive aims to reduce errors and fraud during the JAMB 2026 UTME registration exercise.

Speaking at a stakeholder meeting, JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede advised candidates to fix biodata issues before registration. These include name or date-of-birth discrepancies. He explained that JAMB will rely only on National Identity Management Commission data. “The Board would rely solely on data generated from NIMC and would not entertain corrections from any other source.”

JAMB confirmed that JAMB 2026 UTME registration runs from 26 January 2026 to 28 February 2026. E-PIN vending began on 19 January and ends on 26 February. Foreign candidates are also included in the timeline.

For Direct Entry applicants, sales of forms and e-PINs begin on 2 March and close on 25 April 2026. These forms will be available only at JAMB state and zonal offices. The board said this step will improve monitoring of the DE process.

Dates, Fees and Firm Warnings

The registrar disclosed that three e-PIN categories are available for the 2026 exercise. Direct Entry costs ₦5,700. UTME without mock costs ₦7,200. UTME with mock costs ₦8,700. He explained that the fees cover application charges, reading text, CBT registration and bank fees. The optional mock adds an extra ₦1,500.

Examinations are scheduled next. The 2026 UTME will hold from 16 April to 25 April 2026. The mock examination takes place on 28 March 2026. These dates mark the final stage of the JAMB 2026 UTME registration cycle.

Meanwhile, Oloyede warned CBT centre operators against overcharging or extortion. He said licences will be withdrawn where malpractice is proven. “Any centre found culpable would have its licence withdrawn and be prosecuted.” He also reminded centre owners that they remain responsible for the conduct of their staff.

The JAMB 2026 UTME registration process is expected to test both candidates and centres. However, JAMB believes tighter controls will improve credibility. For now, hopeful applicants must act fast before deadlines close.