JAMB Announces Commencement of 2026 UTME, DE Registration, Sets April Exam Dates

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced the sale of registration forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions in the 2026/2027 academic session.

The announcement came via a statement posted on JAMB’s official X handle on Tuesday night, January 13, 2026. The photostatement, signed by JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, invited suitably qualified candidates to apply for admission into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions across the country.

For UTME candidates, including those from foreign countries, registration will run from Monday, January 26, 2026, to Saturday, February 28, 2026. The e-PIN vending for UTME is expected to begin earlier, on January 19, 2026, and close on February 26, 2026, according to details shared in related reports.

The 2026 UTME is scheduled to take place from Thursday, April 16, 2026, to Saturday, April 25, 2026. An optional Mock-UTME will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, providing candidates with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the computer-based testing environment.

JAMB emphasised that candidates must possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN) before commencing registration, underscoring the Board’s continued reliance on NIN for identity verification and to curb multiple registrations or fraudulent activities.

On age eligibility, the Board stated that candidates must generally be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, to be considered for admission. However, underage candidates (those below 16 by that date) may apply for a waiver but will face rigorous scrutiny.

Such candidates must achieve at least 80% in each of the UTME (or A-Level), Post-UTME, SSCE, and an exceptional candidate assessment. Their results will only be released after the full evaluation process concludes.

For Direct Entry candidates, the sale of application documents and e-PIN vending will commence on Monday, March 2, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Unlike UTME registration, DE applications will be handled exclusively at JAMB’s State and Zonal Offices.

The announcement aligns with JAMB’s ongoing efforts to ensure a smooth, transparent, and secure admission process. Prospective candidates are advised to prepare their NIN, relevant academic credentials, and monitor official JAMB channels for any updates on exact fees, e-PIN categories, and registration procedures.

JAMB has previously assured that there will be no fee hike for the 2026 exercise, maintaining affordability as in recent years. Candidates are encouraged to register early to avoid last-minute rushes and to use only approved CBT centres for the process.

This development marks the official kickoff of preparations for the 2026 admission cycle, with thousands of secondary school leavers and direct entry applicants expected to participate.