Rosemary Etim Bassey
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the start of registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This examination is written by students seeking admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria.
According to JAMB, registration officially began on January 26, 2026, and will close on February 28, 2026. The board advised candidates to complete their registration early and not wait until the deadline.
Before registration, candidates are required to buy an e-PIN, which is used to begin the registration process. The sale of e-PINs started on January 19 and will end on February 26, 2026.
JAMB also released the approved fees for the 2026 UTME. Candidates who want to write only the UTME will pay ₦7,200, while those who choose to take the UTME along with the mock examination will pay ₦8,700. For Direct Entry (DE) candidates, the registration fee is ₦5,700.
The board explained that the fees cover several things, including the registration form, a reading textbook, CBT centre charges, and other service costs.
The main UTME examination is scheduled to hold between April 16 and April 25, 2026. JAMB also announced that the optional mock examination will take place on March 28, 2026. The mock exam is meant to help candidates understand how the real UTME works and reduce exam fear.
For candidates applying through Direct Entry, registration will take place from March 2 to April 25, 2026.
JAMB warned candidates to register only at approved CBT centres. The board said any centre found overcharging or breaking the rules will be punished. Some centres may even lose their licence if they fail to meet JAMB’s standards.
Candidates were also advised to ensure that their personal information is correct before registering. JAMB stressed that issues with biodata, especially mistakes linked to the National Identification Number (NIN), must be corrected through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). Such errors cannot be fixed during UTME registration.
The examination body encouraged candidates to follow all instructions carefully and prepare well for the exam. JAMB reminded students that the UTME is an important step toward gaining admission into higher institutions in Nigeria.