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 marks the official beginning of the admission process into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The information was made public on Tuesday night through a photo-statement signed by the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede. The statement was shared on the Board’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
According to JAMB, applications are now open to qualified candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions for the 2026/2027 academic year. The Board advised candidates to carefully study the guidelines before registering to avoid mistakes that could affect their chances of admission.
“Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria for the 2026/27 academic session,” the statement read.
One of the major points highlighted by JAMB is the age requirement for candidates. The Board stated that candidates must be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, to be eligible for admission consideration.
“Only candidates who will not be less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 are generally eligible to apply or be considered,” JAMB said.
However, the Board made special provision for underage candidates, although under strict conditions. According to JAMB, candidates who are below 16 years by the stated date may still apply, but they will be subjected to an intensive evaluation process before they can be considered for admission.
The statement explained that such candidates must score not less than 80 per cent in all required examinations. These include the UTME or A-Level, Post-UTME (PUTME), Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE), and an exceptional candidate assessment organised by JAMB.
JAMB also made it clear that the UTME results of underage candidates will not be released immediately. Instead, their results will only be released after the evaluation process has been completed and their eligibility confirmed.
This age policy follows ongoing debates in the education sector about maturity, readiness for higher education, and the increasing number of very young candidates seeking university admission in Nigeria.
On registration timelines, JAMB announced that UTME registration will begin on Monday, January 26, 2026, and end on Saturday, February 28, 2026. This registration window applies to candidates within Nigeria as well as those in foreign countries who wish to sit for the examination.
The Board also disclosed that the sale of e-PINs, which candidates must purchase before registration, will begin earlier. According to JAMB, e-PIN vending for UTME will start on Monday, January 19, 2026, and end on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Registration at accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres will officially close on February 28, 2026.
For Direct Entry candidates, JAMB announced a separate timeline. The sale of Direct Entry application documents and e-PINs will commence on Monday, March 2, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Unlike UTME registration, Direct Entry registration will only take place at JAMB State and Zonal Offices across the country.
Direct Entry is meant for candidates who already possess higher qualifications such as diplomas, NCE, IJMB, JUPEB, or university degrees and are seeking admission directly into 200 level in universities.
JAMB also announced the cost of application by introducing three categories of e-PINs. According to the Board, the cost for Direct Entry e-PIN is N5,700. UTME candidates who do not wish to participate in the mock examination will pay N7,200, while those who choose to sit for the optional mock UTME will pay N8,700.
The Board provided a breakdown of the charges included in the fees. These include the JAMB application fee of N3,500, a compulsory reading text costing N1,000, CBT centre registration service charge of N700, CBT UTME service charge of N1,500, bank charges of N500, and an additional N1,500 for the mock UTME centre charge for candidates who choose that option.
JAMB has often explained that the fees cover the cost of conducting computer-based examinations, maintaining CBT centres, and ensuring a smooth examination process nationwide.
The examination dates were also announced. According to the Board, the 2026 UTME will begin on Thursday, April 16, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The examination will be conducted across accredited CBT centres in all states of the federation and selected centres abroad.
The optional mock UTME, which allows candidates to familiarise themselves with the CBT format and test their preparedness, has been scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026.
JAMB introduced the mock UTME several years ago to help reduce examination anxiety and improve candidates’ performance. While participation is optional, the Board has encouraged candidates, especially first-time applicants, to take advantage of the mock examination.
The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination is Nigeria’s central admission test into tertiary institutions. Every year, millions of candidates sit for the exam, making it one of the largest computer-based examinations in Africa. JAMB has, over the years, introduced reforms aimed at improving transparency, reducing examination malpractice, and ensuring merit-based admissions.
Under Professor Oloyede’s leadership, the Board has strengthened the use of technology, including biometric verification and central admission processing, to curb fraud and irregularities.
As the 2026 admission process begins, JAMB has advised candidates to register only at accredited CBT centres, avoid touts, and ensure that all personal details provided during registration are accurate.
The Board also urged parents and guardians to guide their children properly and ensure they meet all requirements before registering. With the release of the registration and examination timetable, candidates across the country are expected to begin preparations in earnest for the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry admissions.
