Chidimma Uchegbu
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that the sale of registration forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will commence nationwide on Monday, 26 January 2026
The Board assured prospective candidates of a smooth registration process, stating that adequate mechanisms have been put in place to ensure efficient service delivery at all approved registration centres.
Candidates were advised to register only at JAMB-accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, Professional Registration Centres and JAMB offices nationwide.
Speaking at a meeting with key stakeholders, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged candidates with biodata issues, including errors in names, dates of birth or other personal details, to correct such information with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) before commencing registration.
He stressed that JAMB would not modify candidate data, noting that the Board will rely solely on information generated from NIMC records.
Prof. Oloyede disclosed that UTME registration, including for candidates from foreign countries, will run from Monday, 26 January 2026 to Saturday, 28 February 2026.
He added that e-PIN vending for UTME began on Monday, 19 January 2026 and will end on Thursday, 26 February 2026, while registration closes on Saturday, 28 February 2026.
For Direct Entry (DE) candidates, the Registrar said the sale of application documents and e-PIN vending will commence from Monday, 2 March 2026 to Saturday, 25 April 2026.
He noted that Direct Entry registration will be conducted only at JAMB zonal and state offices.
JAMB announced three categories of e-PINs for the 2026 exercise:
Direct Entry (DE): ₦5,700
UTME only (without Mock): ₦7,200
UTME with Mock: ₦8,700
A breakdown of charges shows:
UTME/DE application fee: ₦3,500
Reading text: ₦1,000
CBT centre registration service charge: ₦700
CBT centre UTME service charge: ₦1,500
Bank charges: ₦500
Mock-UTME centre charge: ₦1,500The Registrar announced that:
Mock UTME (optional): Saturday, 28 March 2026
UTME examination: Thursday, 16 April 2026 to Saturday, 25 April 2026
Prof. Oloyede issued a stern warning to CBT centres against fraudulent and unethical practices, including extortion, overcharging and registration irregularities.
He said any centre found culpable will face strict sanctions, including withdrawal of licence and possible prosecution.
He also cautioned operators against employing staff of questionable character, stressing that proprietors will be held responsible for offences committed by their ad-hoc staff.
JAMB also introduced a new compliance policy tagged: “No Vision, No Registration, No UTME.”
The Registrar explained that all CBT centres participating in the 2026 registration exercise will be monitored live from JAMB headquarters in Abuja.
Any centre whose registration activities cannot be viewed remotely will not be paid and may have its registration activities invalidated.
Prof. Oloyede announced that Microsoft or Digitech live cameras are now compulsory for UTME registration, and are the only approved devices for capturing candidates’ second images during registration.
He said all CBT centres must also migrate to HIKVision CCTV systems, with recommended NVR/DVR HIKVision equipment and a minimum of 16 channels to ensure full coverage.
Wireless CCTV systems are prohibited.
Cameras must cover examination halls, verification areas, holding rooms, walkways, server rooms, and entrance and exit points.
Centres that fail to comply, he warned, will face sanctions, including possible prosecution.
JAMB will also not bear the cost of CCTV router reconfiguration, which centres must complete at their own expense.
The Registrar recalled that centres and individuals previously involved in examination malpractice have been delisted and are currently being prosecuted, warning that the Board will not hesitate to sanction any operator or individual found engaging in malpractice.
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