2026 UTME: Essential Things Candidates Should Know on Registration
By Elegbede Abiodun
With the sale of registration forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) going on nationwide, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has assured prospective candidates of a smooth, transparent and efficient registration process.
While many secondary school leavers and other applicants prepare to take this crucial step towards tertiary education, understanding the rules, timelines and requirements is essential to avoid costly mistakes.
JAMB had said it already put robust mechanisms in place to guarantee top-notch service delivery throughout the registration exercise.
Candidates are therefore advised to strictly adhere to official guidelines and patronise only approved centres to ensure a hitch-free process.
One of the most important points emphasised by the Board is the need for candidates to register only at JAMB-approved Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
These include accredited CBT centres across the federation, Professional Registration Centres and JAMB offices nationwide. According to the Board, registering outside these approved centres exposes candidates to fraud, extortion and possible invalidation of their registration.
Candidates are also advised to personally attend the registration process and avoid the temptation of using third parties, as errors made during registration can have long-term consequences, including disqualification.
A major highlight of the 2026 UTME registration is JAMB’s firm stance on data integrity, particularly as it relates to candidates’ biodata.
The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, made it clear during a meeting with key stakeholders that the Board will rely solely on data generated from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
Candidates who have issues with their names, date of birth or other personal details are strongly advised to resolve such discrepancies with NIMC before commencing UTME registration.
According to the Registrar, registration for the 2026 UTME, including candidates from foreign countries, will run from Monday, 26 January 2026, to Saturday, 28 February 2026.
Candidates are encouraged not to wait until the final days to avoid unnecessary pressure and technical challenges that often accompany last-minute registration.
In addition, the vending of e-PINs for UTME candidates commenced earlier on Monday, 19 January 2026, and will end on Thursday, 26 February 2026, while the actual registration exercise closes on Saturday, 28 February 2026.
For direct entry candidates, key dates for candidates seeking admission through Direct Entry (DE), the timeline is different. The sale of 2026 Direct Entry application documents and e-PIN vending will begin on Monday, 2 March 2026, and end on Saturday, 25 April 2026.
Unlike UTME registration, Direct Entry forms will be sold only at JAMB’s Zonal and State Offices across the country.
Prospective Direct Entry candidates are advised to take note of these dates and ensure they meet all requirements before proceeding.
Another critical area candidates must understand is the cost structure of the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry registration. JAMB has introduced three categories of e-PINs to give candidates flexibility based on their preferences.
The categories are: Direct Entry (DE): N5,700, UTME Only (Without Mock): N7,200, UTME With Mock: N8,700.
To promote transparency, the Board also provided a detailed breakdown of the charges. These include: UTME/DE application fee N3,500
Reading text: N1,000, CBT centre registration service charge: N700, CBT centre UTME service charge: N1,500
Bank charges: N500
Mock-UTME centre charge (where applicable): N1,500.
Knowing the examination schedule is another key factor in effective preparation. Prof. Oloyede announced that the 2026 UTME will commence on Thursday, 16 April 2026, and end on Saturday, 25 April 2026.
For candidates opting for the mock examination, the Mock-UTME (optional) will hold on Saturday, 28 March 2026. The mock examination is designed to familiarise candidates with the CBT environment and reduce examination anxiety, particularly for first-time candidates.
