JAMB fixes April 16–25 for 2026 UTME, releases registration and exam guidelines
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will be conducted nationwide from April 16 to April 25.
The board made this known in an official statement outlining the registration timetable, eligibility criteria, fees, and other key guidelines for both UTME and Direct Entry (DE) candidates, aimed at helping applicants prepare adequately for the examination process.
According to JAMB, UTME registration will commence on January 26 and end on February 28, while Direct Entry registration will take place from March 2 to April 25.
Candidates are required to create a personal profile using a unique mobile phone number linked to their National Identification Number (NIN) before purchasing an E-PIN from designated banks, POS outlets, or approved online payment platforms.
JAMB explained that after creating a profile, candidates will receive a 10-character profile code via SMS, which must be presented at any participating outlet to complete the E-PIN purchase.
The board further disclosed that the mock UTME is scheduled for March 28, 2026, while the main examination will run between April 16 and April 25. It added that UTME results will only be released after the completion of the entire marking and evaluation process.
On academic requirements, JAMB stated that UTME candidates must possess at least five O’Level credit passes, including English Language. Direct Entry applicants must also have O’Level credits in addition to higher qualifications such as A-Level, ND, NCE, HND, or a university degree.
For the 2026 UTME, the compulsory reading text for all candidates is “The Lekki Headmaster” by Kabir Alabi Garba.
In terms of fees, candidates opting for the UTME with the mock examination will pay N8,700, while those without the mock will pay N7,700. Direct Entry candidates are to pay N5,700. The fees cover the application form, prescribed novel, CBT services, examination centre charges, and processing fees through banks or the NIMC.
JAMB also reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity, noting that candidates who are blind, deaf, or mute, as well as those with conditions such as albinism, Down syndrome, autism, dyslexia, or ADHD, should declare their status during registration to enable proper support and placement at JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) centres.
The board reminded candidates that the use of earphones, wristwatches, mobile phones, electronic devices, and pens is strictly prohibited during the examination, with only HB pencils allowed. It also stressed that all admissions must be processed through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), warning that any admission offered outside CAPS is illegal and will not be recognised.
As part of preparations for the 2026 UTME, JAMB has carried out a nationwide accreditation of 848 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, beginning on December 15, 2025, to ensure uniform standards, security, and technical readiness.
The move follows challenges recorded during the 2025 UTME, when technical failures affected about 380,000 candidates across 157 centres, alongside incidents of biometric fraud, identity manipulation, and examination malpractice.
In 2025, four CBT centres were delisted due to operational shortcomings, forcing affected candidates to relocate to other centres.
For the 2026 examination, accreditation teams are evaluating centres based on strict technical benchmarks, including adequate CCTV coverage, reliable network systems for biometric verification, functional computer systems, and suitably sized registration halls and waiting areas.
