Manny Ita
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially authorized prospective candidates for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to begin the generation of their unique profile codes. This directive, issued ahead of the formal registration period, is intended to streamline the application process and mitigate technical delays. The Board emphasized that obtaining a National Identification Number (NIN) remains a mandatory prerequisite, as all candidate biodata will be sourced directly from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database. Candidates are further advised to verify that their personal details, including name and date of birth, are accurate on their NIN records before initiating the JAMB process, as once a profile code is generated, the associated data cannot be altered.
To generate the ten-character profile code, candidates are required to send the word “NIN” followed by a space and their eleven-digit NIN to either 55019 or 66019 via text message. JAMB officials clarified that the mobile number used for this request will be permanently tied to the candidate’s name and utilized for all future communications regarding examinations and admissions. In instances where candidates encounter system responses such as “Error 550,” the Board noted this “indicates an incorrectly formatted request” and urged adherence to the prescribed SMS format. For those receiving a “Number Already Registered” notification, the Board suggested that the “phone number is linked to another profile” and advised using a new SIM card.
The Board also issued a specific technical warning regarding the use of henna, commonly known as “Laali” or “Lale,” on the fingers of prospective candidates. Officials stated that this warning is necessary “to avoid experiencing biometric verification challenges as it had been established that the application of henna on the fingers obstructs the biometric verification process.” The Board further noted that “in an attempt by candidates to clean their fancy henna designs, they used chemicals that damaged the whorls on their fingers, hence making biometric verification and authentication difficult if not impossible.” Successful biometric capture is a non-negotiable requirement for registration and examination entry, and candidates were urged to safeguard their fingers to ensure access to the examination halls.
According to the official schedule, the sale of the 2026 UTME registration e-PINs is slated to conclude on February 26, 2026. While the portal for profile code generation is currently active, candidates are reminded that the actual registration must be completed at approved Computer Based Test (CBT) centers. JAMB reiterated that without successful biometric verification, “candidates will not be granted access to the exam questions,” underscoring the importance of following all technical guidelines provided during this preliminary phase of the 2026 admission cycle.
