The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially fixed the registration period for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) from January 26 to February 28, to be conducted strictly at all approved Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country.

The announcement was made in Lagos on Saturday by the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, during a stakeholders’ meeting with State Commissioners for Education ahead of the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry (DE) exercises.

Sale Of ePIN Begins Earlier Than Registration

Professor Oloyede disclosed that the sale of UTME application documents, known as the ePIN, would commence before the start of actual registration.

According to him, ePIN vending will run from January 19 to February 26, while candidates can complete their UTME registration from January 26 to February 28 at approved CBT centres nationwide.

Mock Examination And Direct Entry Timelines

The Registrar further revealed that candidates who wish to participate in the UTME mock examination must complete their mock selection on or before February 16.

He added that the sale of Direct Entry (DE) application documents and ePIN vending will begin on March 2 and end on April 25.

Underage Candidates’ Results To Be Withheld Pending Evaluation

Unlike previous years, JAMB will not immediately release the UTME results of underage candidates. Professor Oloyede explained that such results will only be made public after the completion of a comprehensive evaluation process.

This, he said, is to ensure a proper and fair assessment of candidates applying for age waivers.

Live Monitoring Of CBT Centres Nationwide

All CBT centres participating in the registration exercise will be monitored live from JAMB headquarters.

The Registrar warned that any centre whose registration activities cannot be viewed remotely by the Board will not be paid, and registrations carried out at such centres may be invalidated.

He disclosed that 924 CBT centres have so far been screened and provisionally listed but stressed that they must still pass a final test before being fully accredited for the 2026 UTME registration and examination.

No Service Charges At CBT Centres

Professor Oloyede reiterated that candidates are not required to pay any service fees to CBT centres.

He emphasized that the registration fee approved by JAMB remains the only legitimate payment, warning candidates to report any centre that demands extra charges.

No Posting Outside Chosen Examination Towns

Addressing complaints about distant posting, the Registrar clarified that JAMB does not post candidates to examination towns outside those selected during registration.

However, he explained that where a candidate selects a group of towns, posting may occur to any town within that chosen group.

He advised candidates to register early, noting that late registration could reduce their chances of securing their preferred examination towns.

Mandatory Disclosure Of Previous Admissions

Candidates were warned to fully declare any previous registration or admission history with JAMB.

Professor Oloyede revealed that some candidates involved in examination malpractice during last year’s UTME had attempted to conceal their records.

He stressed that running more than one undergraduate programme at the same time is a criminal offence, adding that failure to disclose prior admission would attract sanctions.

Age Requirement And Waiver Conditions

The Registrar stated that candidates must be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, to be generally eligible for the UTME and admission consideration.

However, underage candidates may apply for a waiver but must undergo a rigorous evaluation process.

He explained that such candidates must score not less than 80 per cent in each of the following:
    •    UTME or A’LEVEL
    •    Post-UTME (PUTME)
    •    Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE)
    •    Exceptional Candidate Assessment

Only candidates who meet these strict benchmarks will be considered for an age waiver.

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This announcement sets the official framework for the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry exercises, with JAMB urging candidates to adhere strictly to timelines, guidelines, and ethical standards throughout the process.