The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has opened the admission window for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE), formally commencing the 2026/2027 admission exercise for candidates seeking placement into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
In a statement released by the Board, JAMB confirmed that the sale of e-PINs for UTME candidates will begin on January 19, 2026, while registration proper will run from January 26 to February 28, 2026. The Board stated that e-PIN vending for UTME will close on February 26, ahead of the registration deadline.
For Direct Entry applicants, JAMB disclosed that registration will commence on March 2 and end on April 25, 2026. Unlike UTME candidates, Direct Entry applicants are required to complete their registration exclusively at JAMB State and Zonal Offices across the country.
The Board reiterated its age policy for admission, stating that candidates are generally expected to be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, to qualify for admission. However, JAMB noted that underage candidates may be considered under a special waiver arrangement, subject to rigorous assessment. Results of such candidates will only be released after the evaluation process has been fully concluded.
JAMB also announced three categories of e-PINs for the 2026 admission exercise. Direct Entry applicants will pay N5,700, while UTME candidates opting out of the mock examination will pay N7,200. Those who choose to participate in the optional mock UTME will pay N8,700. The Board explained that the charges cover the application fee, reading text, CBT centre registration services, UTME service charges, bank processing fees, and mock examination fees where applicable.
The 2026 UTME has been scheduled to hold between April 16 and April 25, 2026, while the optional mock examination will take place on March 28, 2026. JAMB advised candidates to adhere strictly to the examination timetable and ensure that all registration details are correctly entered.
The Board cautioned candidates against multiple registrations, stressing that registering more than once constitutes a violation of its guidelines and may attract sanctions. Candidates who make errors during registration were advised to seek official correction procedures rather than attempting to submit fresh applications.
JAMB further emphasized the importance of having a valid National Identification Number (NIN) and functional contact details before commencing the registration process, noting that these are mandatory requirements for creating and managing JAMB profiles.
With the release of these guidelines, the Board urged prospective candidates to complete their registration within the stipulated timelines and comply fully with all admission requirements to avoid disqualification during the 2026/2027 admission cycle.
Last Updated on January 21, 2026 by Ola Funmilayo
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