JAMB2026: JAMB Releases Official Guidelines, Fees, and Dates for 2026 UTME and Direct Entry Registration

 

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the guidelines for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) application exercise for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions for the 2026/2027 academic session.

The announcement, issued from JAMB’s National Headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, provides detailed information on eligibility, registration procedures, fees, important dates, and rules governing the exercise.

Eligibility for JAMB 2026 UTME and DE

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates seeking admission into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Candidates must be not less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 to be eligible for admission. However, candidates who are below 16 years of age may be considered for a waiver, provided they score at least 80% in each of the required examinations, including UTME, A-Level, PUTME, SSCE, and the exceptional candidate assessment.

JAMB also stated that UTME results of underage candidates will only be released after the completion of the evaluation process.

Biometric Integrity and Data Accuracy

Candidates are required to ensure that only their own ten (10) fingers are captured during biometric registration at the CBT centre. The use of multiple National Identification Numbers (NINs), double registration, impersonation, or any form of identity manipulation is strictly prohibited and will attract severe sanctions.

Once registration is completed using biodata supplied by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), no changes to biodata will be tolerated for the 2026 admission exercise. Any updates from NIMC will only be reflected through a re-query process (TEMPL 007) during registration, and such changes will appear as footnotes on candidates’ profiles and slips.

JAMB 2026 Fees and Charges (Official Breakdown)

JAMB will maintain its cashless registration system for the 2026 UTME and DE exercise. All third-party fees will be centrally collected and remitted weekly to beneficiaries.

There are three categories of e-PINs as follows:

Direct Entry (DE) – ₦5,700

JAMB Application Fee: ₦3,500

CBT Centre Registration Service Charge: ₦700

CBT UTME Service Charge: ₦1,500

Bank Charges: ₦500

UTME Only (Without Mock) – ₦7,200

JAMB Application Fee: ₦3,500

Reading Text: ₦1,000

CBT Centre Registration Service Charge: ₦700

CBT UTME Service Charge: ₦1,500

Bank Charges: ₦500

UTME With Mock – ₦8,700

JAMB Application Fee: ₦3,500

Reading Text: ₦1,000

CBT Centre Registration Service Charge: ₦700

CBT UTME Service Charge: ₦1,500

CBT Mock-UTME Centre Charge: ₦1,500

Bank Charges: ₦500

Candidates must clearly specify the type of e-PIN required at the point of purchase, as no refund will be made after payment.

Official Registration Dates for JAMB 2026

UTME Registration

Registration Period: Monday, 26th January, 2026 – Saturday, 28th February, 2026

e-PIN Vending: Monday, 19th January, 2026 – Thursday, 26th February, 2026

Final Registration Deadline: Saturday, 28th February, 2026.

Direct Entry (DE) Registration

Sale of DE Application Documents & e-PINs:

Monday, 2nd March, 2026 – Saturday, 25th April, 2026

Direct Entry registration will be conducted only at JAMB State and Zonal Offices.

Important Advisory to Candidates

Candidates are advised to:

Use only JAMB-accredited CBT centres

Ensure their personal email address is valid and accessible

Avoid multiple registrations

Carefully verify all details before submission

JAMB emphasized that all fees are non-refundable and violations of the guidelines may lead to cancellation of results or disqualification from admission.

Conclusion

The 2026 UTME and Direct Entry exercise remains a critical pathway for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions. Candidates who adhere strictly to JAMB’s official guidelines, meet eligibility requirements, and register within the stipulated dates will be well-positioned for a smooth admission process.