Category General Info

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the official registration procedure and process flow for the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry (DE) exercise. The announcement covers registration timelines, eligibility rules, fees, biometric requirements, and examination dates for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions for the 2026/2027 academic session.

EducationNGR also learnt that candidates are strongly advised to read and understand all registration guidelines before starting the process, as errors or violations may invalidate applications.

Key Registration Dates for 2026 JAMB

UTME

• Sale of UTME e-PINs: Monday, 19 January 2026 – Thursday, 26 February 2026

• UTME registration period: Monday, 26 January 2026 – Saturday, 28 February 2026

Direct Entry (DE)

• DE e-PIN vending and registration: Monday, 2 March 2026 – Saturday, 25 April 2026

• DE registration will take place only at JAMB State and Zonal Offices

Eligibility Rules (Age and Special Conditions)

• Candidates must be at least 16 years old by 30 September 2026

• Candidates below 16 may be considered only after an intensive evaluation and must score not less than 80% in UTME/A-Level, Post-UTME, SSCE, and the exceptional candidate assessment

• UTME results of underage candidates will be released only after the evaluation process

Once registration is completed using NIMC biodata, no change of biodata will be allowed for the 2026 admission exercise, except through the officially approved re-query process (TEMPL007).

JAMB 2026 Fees and e-PIN Categories

JAMB will maintain a fully cashless registration system with centralised collection of third-party fees.

e-PIN Categories

• Direct Entry: N5,700

• UTME without Mock: N7,200

• UTME with Mock: N8,700

Fee Breakdown

• UTME/DE application fee: N3,500

• Reading text: N1,000

• CBT centre registration charge: N700

• CBT UTME service charge: N1,500

• Bank charges: N500

• Mock-UTME centre charge (optional): N1,500

Candidates must choose the correct e-PIN type at purchase, as no refund will be made.

Biometric Integrity and Anti-Impersonation Rules

• All ten fingerprints must be captured correctly at the CBT centre

• Multiple NIN usage, double registration, or impersonation attracts severe sanctions

• Only candidates whose biometrics are successfully verified on examination day will be allowed to sit the UTME or Mock

UTME and DE Registration Periods (Recap)

• UTME registration (including foreign candidates): 26 January – 28 February 2026

• DE registration: 2 March – 25 April 2026

Candidates must have a valid and accessible personal email address before registration.

Minimum Entry Requirements

UTME (100 Level Degree / ND / NCE)

• Degree: Minimum of five (5) O’Level credits, including English, in not more than two sittings
  Mathematics is compulsory for Science, Technology, and Social Science programmes

• ND/NCE: Minimum of four (4) O’Level credits, including English (non-science) or Mathematics (science)

Direct Entry

• Minimum of five (5) O’Level credits, plus at least two A-Level or equivalent passes

• Acceptable qualifications include NCE, ND, HND, IJMB, JUPEB, NABTEB (ANBC/ANTC), First Degree, Cambridge A-Level, IB (foreign), and other approved equivalents

• Awarding institutions must forward verification to JAMB before registration is completed

Important DE Rules Candidates Must Note

• DE candidates not awaiting results must upload all qualifications at registration

• Candidates awaiting A-Level results must upload admission letters and registration templates

• Statement of result is accepted only within three (3) years of award (NCE: one year)

• UTME to DE upgrade is allowed only for candidates who declared awaiting A-Level results

• DE admission status must be monitored on the e-Facility portal

Registration Centres and Rules

• Registration is allowed only at JAMB-accredited CBT centres

• Registration outside approved centres is done at the candidate’s own risk

• Parents, guardians, or proxies are not allowed to handle candidates’ profiles

• Group or school-based registration is strictly prohibited

Creation of JAMB Profile (Summary)

• Each candidate must use a unique phone number

• Send SMS: NIN (space) 11-digit NIN to 55019 or 66019

• A 10-character Profile Code will be sent to the candidate

• The same number and profile code remain valid for future JAMB exercises

UTME Examination Date for 2026

• UTME examination: Thursday, 16 April 2026 – Saturday, 25 April 2026

• Candidates will write the exam in their chosen examination town

• Optional Mock-UTME holds on Saturday, 28 March 2026

Final Notes to Candidates

• Registration fees are non-refundable

• All candidates will be tested on the compulsory reading text: The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba

• Phones, smart devices, wristwatches, and bags are not allowed in the examination hall

• Only admissions offered through JAMB CAPS and e-Facility are valid; admissions outside CAPS are illegal

EducationNGR advises candidates to register early, follow official instructions strictly, and avoid unapproved centres to prevent errors that could jeopardise their admission chances.

For many candidates, generating a JAMB profile code feels like the hardest part of the UTME process. Unfortunately, this is where many costly mistakes begin. Education experts warn that relaxing too early often leads to errors that later affect admission, course placement, or even outright disqualification. EducationNGR also learnt that most admission issues trace back to mistakes made immediately after profile code generation.

If you have successfully generated your 2026 JAMB profile code, the following are the critical next steps every candidate must follow carefully.

Step 1: Check Your Personal Details Immediately

Once your profile code is generated, carefully confirm your:

• Full name

• Date of birth

• Gender

Any mistake noticed at this stage must be corrected immediately through the appropriate JAMB or NIMC channels. Errors that appear minor can later create serious problems during admission processing, NYSC registration, or certificate verification.

Step 2: Use a Valid and Personal Email Address and Phone Number

Candidates are strongly advised to use:

• An email address they can always access

• A personal phone number that will remain active

Do not use another person’s email address or phone number. All JAMB updates, password recovery links, admission notifications, and official communications will be sent through these contacts.

Step 3: Prepare for Your JAMB ePIN

Having a profile code does not mean you are registered. The next compulsory step is obtaining your ePIN, which is required before visiting any accredited CBT centre.

Candidates should ensure they:

• Purchase the ePIN only from approved vendors

• Avoid last-minute rush that may expose them to scams or inflated charges

Without an ePIN, UTME registration cannot proceed.

Step 4: Decide on Your Course and Institution Early

One of the most common mistakes candidates make is choosing courses and institutions hastily at the CBT centre. This often leads to poor decisions that reduce admission chances.

Before registration, candidates should:

• Research their intended course

• Confirm institutions that offer the programme

• Check admission requirements and competitiveness

Early planning allows for informed and realistic choices.

Step 5: Confirm the Correct Subject Combination

A wrong subject combination can invalidate an admission offer, even with a very high UTME score. Candidates must confirm that their chosen subjects align with their intended course.

For example:

• Engineering courses require Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry

• Law requires Literature in English

• Medicine and health sciences require Biology

Candidates are advised to verify subject combinations using the official JAMB brochure.

Step 6: Organise Your O’Level Results Properly

Candidates should clearly determine:

• Whether they are using one sitting or two sittings

• If they are registering with awaiting results

Ensure that:

• Required credits, including English Language and Mathematics where applicable, are available

• Results are ready for upload when required by JAMB or institutions

Failure to upload O’Level results on time has caused many candidates to lose admission in previous years, EducationNGR reports.

Step 7: Confirm Age and Eligibility Requirements

Candidates must meet the minimum age requirement, usually 16 years by the time of admission. Those who do not meet this requirement should seek proper guidance before proceeding, as age discrepancies can result in disqualification later.

Step 8: Register Only at Accredited CBT Centres

Candidates are warned against registering through:

• Cyber cafés

• Roadside agents

• Unapproved operators

Only JAMB-accredited CBT centres are authorised to carry out UTME registration. Registering elsewhere increases the risk of errors, fraud, and invalid registration.

Step 9: Keep All Registration Records Safe

After registration, candidates should safely keep:

• Profile code

• ePIN receipt

• Registration slip

• Email address and password details

These documents will be required at different stages of the admission process.

Step 10: Stay Informed and Avoid Misinformation

Candidates are advised to rely only on:

• Official JAMB announcements

• Verified education news platforms

• Trusted academic advisers

Avoid rumours and unverified social media claims, especially those related to registration dates, cut-off marks, and admission guarantees.

Final Advice

Generating your JAMB profile code is only the beginning. Careful planning, accurate information, and early preparation are what truly secure admission. Candidates who follow these steps diligently stand a much better chance of avoiding errors and achieving their admission goals.