The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the commencement of the sale of application forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) admissions for the 2026/2027 academic session.
The announcement was made through an official statement signed by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and shared on the Boardโs verified social media channels.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
JAMB stated that applicants must meet the minimum age requirement:
- Candidates must be at least 16 years old by 30 September 2026 to be eligible for admission.
Provision for Underage Candidates:
Underage candidates may still apply, but only under strict conditions:
- They must score at least 80% in:
- UTME / A-Level
- Post-UTME
- SSCE
- Exceptional candidate assessment
JAMB also clarified that the UTME results of underage candidates will only be released after the full evaluation process is completed.
UTME Registration Timeline (2026):
- UTME Registration:
๐๏ธ Monday, 26 January โ Saturday, 28 February 2026 - E-PIN Vending for UTME:
๐๏ธ Monday, 19 January โ Thursday, 26 February 2026 - Registration Closes:
๐๏ธ Saturday, 28 February 2026
This applies to Nigerian and foreign candidates.
Direct Entry (DE) Registration Timeline:
- Sale of DE Forms & E-PINs:
๐๏ธ Monday, 2 March โ Saturday, 25 April 2026
Important: Direct Entry registration will be done only at JAMB State and Zonal Offices.
UTME & DE Fees Breakdown (2026):
JAMB announced three categories of e-PINs:
- Direct Entry (DE): โฆ5,700
- UTME without Mock: โฆ7,200
- UTME with Mock: โฆ8,700
Fee Breakdown Includes:
- JAMB Application Fee โ โฆ3,500
- Reading Text โ โฆ1,000
- CBT Centre Registration โ โฆ700
- CBT UTME Service Charge โ โฆ1,500
- Bank Charges โ โฆ500
- Mock-UTME (optional) โ โฆ1,500
2026 UTME & Mock Exam Dates:
- Mock UTME (Optional):
๐๏ธ Saturday, 28 March 2026 - Main UTME Examination:
๐๏ธ Thursday, 16 April โ Saturday, 25 April 2026
Key Takeaway for Candidates:
Candidates are advised to:
- Register early to avoid last-minute issues
- Ensure their biodata and age details are correct
- Choose the correct e-PIN category
- Rely only on official JAMB channels for information
With the announcement of dates and fees, preparations for the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry admissions are now officially underway.
