The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has fixed April 16 to April 25, 2026, for the conduct of the nationwide Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
In an official release, the examination body disclosed key details regarding registration timelines, eligibility requirements and fees for both UTME and Direct Entry (DE) candidates.
According to JAMB, UTME registration will run from January 26 to February 28, 2026, while Direct Entry registration is scheduled from March 2 to April 25, 2026. The early announcement, the board said, is intended to help candidates prepare adequately and complete their registration without unnecessary pressure.
JAMB explained that all candidates must first create a profile using their unique phone number and National Identification Number (NIN). Upon successful profiling, candidates will receive a 10-character profile code via SMS, which will be used to purchase the examination e-PIN from designated banks, Point of Sale (POS) outlets or online payment platforms.
“A 10-character profile code will be sent back to the phone number. Present this code at any participating bank, POS, or online payment platform to complete the E-PIN purchase,” the board stated.
The board also outlined the examination schedule, noting that the Mock UTME will hold on March 28, 2026, while the main UTME will be conducted between April 16 and April 25. Results will be released after the conclusion of marking and evaluation.
On eligibility, JAMB stated that UTME candidates must possess a minimum of five O’Level credits, including English Language, while Direct Entry applicants are required to present additional advanced qualifications such as diplomas or degrees.
Under its approved fee structure, candidates opting for the Mock UTME will pay ₦8,700, regular UTME candidates ₦7,700, while Direct Entry applicants will pay ₦5,700. The fees cover registration forms, recommended reading texts, CBT services and administrative processing.
JAMB also emphasised inclusivity, directing candidates with disabilities—including blindness, deafness, albinism, autism, dyslexia and ADHD—to indicate their conditions during registration to enable placement at specialised Joint Examination Operations Group (JEOG) centres.
The board reiterated strict examination rules, stating that items such as earphones, watches, mobile phones, electronic devices and writing materials are prohibited in examination halls, with candidates allowed to use only HB pencils. It added that all admissions will be processed strictly through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
Providing further updates, JAMB disclosed that 848 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres have been accredited nationwide since December 15, 2025. The board said the accreditation exercise was aimed at preventing a recurrence of technical glitches experienced during previous examinations, which affected about 380,000 candidates.
JAMB added that inspection teams have been deployed to verify CCTV coverage, biometric systems, computer facilities and overall readiness of centres to ensure a hitch-free and credible examination.