The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has issued a new set of guidelines ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registration exercise. The board said the directives are aimed at preventing errors, curbing fraudulent practices, and ensuring a smoother registration process for all intending candidates.
In a statement announcing the commencement procedures, JAMB explained that the registration exercise will run from 31 January to 8 March 2026. The board urged candidates to study the instructions carefully, noting that many of the complaints recorded in previous years resulted from avoidable mistakes.
According to the guidelines, candidates are required to confirm the accuracy of their personal information before initiating the registration process. This includes ensuring that their names, date of birth, gender, state of origin, email address, and other biodata correspond with what is contained in the National Identity Management Commission database.
The board stressed that it will extract candidates’ information directly from NIMC once registration begins. As a result, candidates with incorrect details have been advised to visit NIMC offices for corrections before attempting to register.
JAMB disclosed that the first stage in the registration process remains the generation of a profile code. Candidates are expected to send their 11-digit NIN to the designated shortcodes. Once the code is issued, it becomes permanently attached to the candidate’s profile and cannot be modified.
The board noted that improper formatting of the SMS or using a NIN with unresolved discrepancies may lead to error messages. It warned candidates against attempting multiple corrections after a code has already been generated.
The guidelines reiterate that e-PINs required for registration must be obtained exclusively from approved banks, accredited vendors, or official online payment channels. JAMB warned that purchasing e-PINs from unofficial sources could result in invalid or unusable registration credentials.
Candidates must complete their registration at JAMB-approved Computer-Based Test centres or designated JAMB offices. At these centres, biometric data, including fingerprints and photographs, will be captured.
JAMB emphasised that candidates must carefully review all their details before the biometric confirmation stage. After biometric authentication, no further changes will be allowed, and the board will not accept requests for data correction at that point.
The board maintained that candidates must use unique and functional phone numbers and email addresses. These contact details become part of the individual’s registration profile and cannot be shared or substituted during the process. Phone numbers previously used by other candidates for past examinations will be rejected.
For candidates encountering biometric capture failures, JAMB directed that such issues be taken directly to its offices for resolution. The board cautioned accredited centres against registering any candidate whose biometrics cannot be successfully captured.
Last Updated on January 21, 2026 by Ola Funmilayo
With over a decade of experience in education journalism, JAMB-GOV.ORG has become a trusted voice in providing relevant and comprehensive JAMB news reporting that matter most to students and educators nationwide.
