The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has opened registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the exam used by candidates seeking admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria.
Registration began on 26 January 2026 and will close on 28 February 2026. The board has advised candidates to complete their registration early rather than wait until the deadline.
Before registering, candidates must purchase an e-PIN, which is required to start the process. Sale of the e-PINs began on 19 January and will end on 26 February 2026.
JAMB also released the approved fees for the examination. Candidates registering only for the UTME will pay ₦7,200, while those taking the UTME with the optional mock exam will pay ₦8,700. Direct Entry (DE) candidates are required to pay ₦5,700. The fees cover registration, a reading textbook, computer-based testing (CBT) centre charges, and other service costs.
The main UTME is scheduled to hold between 16 and 25 April 2026, while the mock examination will take place on 28 March 2026. The mock exam is designed to help candidates familiarise themselves with the exam format and reduce test anxiety.
Direct Entry candidates can register from 2 March to 25 April 2026.
JAMB warned candidates to register only at approved CBT centres and said any centre found overcharging or breaching the rules may face sanctions, including losing its licence.
Candidates were also reminded to ensure that personal information is accurate before registering. The board stressed that any errors related to the National Identification Number (NIN) must be corrected through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) prior to registration, as mistakes cannot be fixed during the UTME process.
The examination body encouraged candidates to follow all instructions carefully and prepare thoroughly, noting that the UTME is a key step toward gaining admission into higher education institutions in Nigeria.
