JAMB Begins Sale of 2026 UTME, Direct Entry Forms January 26, Announces Registration and Examination Dates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the commencement of the sale of application documents for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) admissions for the 2026/2027 academic session, providing prospective candidates with detailed timelines, eligibility criteria, and examination schedules.
The announcement was contained in a photostatement signed by the Registrar of the Board, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, and shared on JAMB’s official X social media handle on Tuesday night. According to the Board, the release of the timetable marks the formal beginning of the annual admission process into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
“Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria for the 2026/27 academic session,” JAMB stated in the release.
As part of its admission requirements, the Board reiterated its long standing policy on age eligibility, noting that only candidates who meet the prescribed minimum age will generally be considered for admission.
“Only candidates who will not be less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 are generally eligible to apply or be considered,” the statement said.
However, JAMB acknowledged that exceptional cases exist and provided room for underage candidates under strict and clearly defined conditions. According to the Board, candidates who are below the age of 16 by the stipulated deadline may still apply, but only if they meet rigorous academic benchmarks and successfully undergo a comprehensive evaluation process.
“Candidates less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 will have to undergo an intensive evaluation to determine their eligibility for a waiver,” the statement explained. “Such candidates must have scored not less than 80 percent in each of UTME or A LEVEL, PUTME, SSCE and in the exceptional candidate assessment.”
JAMB further clarified that the results of underage candidates will not be immediately released alongside those of other candidates.
“The UTME results of the underage candidates will be released only at the conclusion of the complete evaluation process,” the Board added.
On registration timelines, JAMB announced that the sale and registration period for UTME candidates, including Nigerians resident in foreign countries, will commence in late January and run through February.
“The period of registration for UTME candidates, including those from foreign countries, is from Monday, 26th January, 2026 to Saturday, 28th February, 2026,” the Board stated.
In addition, the Board disclosed that the vending of electronic personal identification numbers (e PINs), which candidates require to complete their registration, will begin earlier in the month.
“E PIN vending for UTME begins on Monday, 19th January, 2026 and ends on Thursday, 26th February, 2026, while registration closes on Saturday, 28th February, 2026,” JAMB said.
For candidates seeking admission through the Direct Entry route, the Board announced a separate timeline. According to the release, the sale of Direct Entry application documents and e PINs will commence in March and run until late April.
“Sale of 2026 Direct Entry application documents and e PIN vending would commence from Monday, 2nd March, 2026 and end by Saturday, 25th April, 2026,” the statement noted.
JAMB also specified that Direct Entry registration would be conducted strictly at the Board’s State and Zonal Offices nationwide, unlike UTME registration which is carried out at accredited computer based test centres.
In outlining the cost structure for the 2026 admission exercise, JAMB announced three categories of e PINs, depending on the option selected by candidates.
“There will be three categories of e PINs: Direct Entry at N5,700; UTME only without mock at N7,200; and UTME with mock at N8,700,” the Board stated.
The Board also provided a detailed breakdown of the fees included in the various categories. According to JAMB, the charges cover multiple components of the examination and registration process.
The breakdown includes a JAMB application fee of N3,500 for UTME and Direct Entry candidates, a compulsory reading text costing N1,000, a CBT centre registration service charge of N700, a CBT UTME service charge of N1,500, and bank charges amounting to N500. For candidates who opt to take part in the mock UTME, an additional CBT mock UTME centre charge of N1,500 applies.
Beyond registration details, JAMB also announced the dates for the 2026 UTME and the optional mock examination. According to the Board, the UTME will be conducted over a ten day period in April.
“The 2026 UTME will commence on Thursday, 16th April, 2026 and end on Saturday, 25th April, 2026,” the statement said.
The optional mock UTME, which is designed to familiarise candidates with the computer based testing environment and examination procedures, has been scheduled earlier.
“Mock UTME, which is optional, shall hold on Saturday, 28th March, 2026,” JAMB announced.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the early release of the timetable, noting that it provides candidates, parents, and schools with adequate time to prepare for the examination. Many also see the detailed clarification on age eligibility and fees as part of JAMB’s effort to improve transparency and reduce misinformation surrounding the admission process.
Over the years, JAMB has consistently emphasised the need for candidates to rely solely on official channels for accurate information and to avoid falling victim to fraudsters who often exploit prospective applicants during the registration period.
The Board reiterated that all registration activities must be carried out at accredited centres and that candidates should ensure their personal details, including names and dates of birth, are correctly captured during registration to avoid complications during admission processing.
With the announcement, the countdown to the 2026 UTME has officially begun, as millions of candidates across Nigeria and abroad prepare for one of the country’s most competitive examinations, which serves as the primary gateway into tertiary education.
