The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the commencement of the sale of application documents for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) admissions for the 2026/2027 academic session.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and shared on the Board’s official X handle on Tuesday.
JAMB invited suitably qualified candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions to apply, stressing that eligibility is largely age-based. According to the Board, only candidates who will be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, are eligible for admission consideration.
However, provisions were made for underage candidates under strict conditions. JAMB explained that candidates below 16 years would be required to undergo an intensive assessment to qualify for a waiver, adding that such candidates must score a minimum of 80 per cent in UTME or A-Level, Post-UTME, Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), and the exceptional candidate assessment.
The Board noted that results of underage candidates would only be released after the completion of the entire evaluation process.
On registration timelines, JAMB disclosed that UTME registration, including for candidates from foreign countries, would run from Monday, January 26, to Saturday, February 28, 2026. E-PIN vending for UTME candidates is scheduled to begin on January 19 and end on February 26, 2026.
For Direct Entry applicants, the sale of application forms and E-PIN vending will commence on Monday, March 2, and close on Saturday, April 25, 2026. JAMB added that DE registration would be conducted strictly at its state and zonal offices nationwide.
The Board also announced three categories of e-PINs: Direct Entry at ₦5,700; UTME without mock examination at ₦7,200; and UTME with mock examination at ₦8,700.
A breakdown of the fees shows that the UTME/DE application fee is ₦3,500, reading text ₦1,000, CBT centre registration service charge ₦700, CBT UTME service charge ₦1,500, bank charges ₦500, while the mock UTME attracts an additional ₦1,500.
JAMB further announced that the 2026 UTME will hold from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25, 2026, while the optional mock UTME is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026.
The Board advised candidates to adhere strictly to the guidelines and timelines to avoid disqualification.
