The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has asked candidates who paid more than the approved fees for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to report such centres with clear proof.
The board said any Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre found to be overcharging candidates or engaging in dishonest practices would face strict sanctions.
This warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin. The statement followed reports in some quarters claiming that the board had increased its registration fees for the 2026 UTME.
JAMB, however, described the claims as false and misleading. It said clearly that the approved registration fees have not changed.
According to the board, the approved fees are as follows: N7,200 for UTME only (without mock examination), N8,700 for UTME with mock, and N5,700 for Direct Entry (DE) candidates.
“The Board appeals to any candidate who has paid more than the officially approved fees to promptly report such centres with credible evidence,” the statement said.
It added that such reports would help the board investigate and take immediate disciplinary action against any centre found guilty of overcharging or sharp practices.
“For the avoidance of doubt,” the statement continued, “the approved registration fees remain as follows: Direct Entry (DE): ₦5,700; UTME Only (without Mock): ₦7,200; UTME with Mock: ₦8,700.”
The UTME is a yearly examination conducted by JAMB for candidates seeking admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria. It is one of the most important examinations for secondary school leavers in the country.
Over the years, concerns have been raised about some CBT centres charging candidates extra fees beyond what is officially approved. In many cases, candidates and their parents pay these extra charges out of fear of missing registration deadlines.
JAMB said it is determined to protect candidates from exploitation.
The board also announced that the sale of e-PINs for the 2026 UTME ended on Thursday. However, registration at accredited CBT centres for candidates who had already purchased their e-PINs will continue until Saturday, February 28.
As of February 17, JAMB disclosed that more than 1.5 million candidates had successfully registered for the examination nationwide. This figure shows the high level of interest in tertiary education across the country.
Every year, over a million candidates sit for the UTME. However, available spaces in tertiary institutions are limited, making the examination highly competitive.
JAMB explained that despite rising operational costs in the country, it has not increased its fees. The board said its current fee structure has remained the same since 2019.
The board recalled that in 2018, the Federal Executive Council approved a reduction in the UTME application fee from N5,000 to N3,500. The reduction took effect from the 2019 registration exercise.
Since then, JAMB said it has maintained the same charges, even though the cost of conducting examinations has gone up.
To provide clarity, the board gave a breakdown of the UTME fees. According to JAMB, the N7,200 paid by candidates for UTME without mock covers several components.
The breakdown is as follows: Application Fee – N3,500; Reading Text – N1,000; CBT Centre Registration Service Charge – N700; CBT Centre UTME Service Charge – N1,500; and Bank Charges – N500.
For candidates who choose to sit for the mock examination, an additional N1,500 is charged as CBT Mock-UTME Centre fee, bringing the total to N8,700.
The mock examination is optional. It is designed to help candidates become familiar with the computer-based testing system before the main examination. Many candidates choose to take the mock to boost their confidence and improve their performance.
Direct Entry candidates, who already have diplomas, NCE, or other advanced qualifications and are seeking admission directly into the second year of tertiary institutions, are required to pay N5,700.
JAMB stressed that it has not authorised any centre to charge beyond these approved amounts.
“The attention of the Board has been drawn to a publication insinuating that the Board has increased its registration fees,” the statement said. “The Board wishes to state categorically that this claim is false, misleading and entirely unfounded.”
The board advised members of the public, especially candidates and their parents or guardians, to ignore such reports. It urged them to rely only on official information released through JAMB’s verified platforms and advertisements.
JAMB also warned candidates to be careful of individuals, agents, or centres that may attempt to mislead or exploit them.
In recent years, JAMB has taken steps to improve transparency in its operations. The introduction of CBT centres was aimed at reducing examination malpractice and improving efficiency. The board has also accredited centres across the country to ensure that candidates have access to registration and examination facilities.
However, with the large number of candidates registering each year, some centres take advantage of the high demand to impose extra charges.
Education stakeholders have often called for stronger monitoring of CBT centres to prevent exploitation. Parents, especially in rural areas, sometimes lack full information about the official fees and may rely on what centre operators tell them.
By asking candidates to report overcharging with evidence, JAMB appears to be taking a stronger stand against such practices.
The board did not specify the type of evidence required but urged candidates to provide credible proof. This may include payment receipts or other documents showing the amount paid.
As the registration process comes to an end, attention will soon shift to the conduct of the examination itself. Candidates are expected to begin final preparations in the coming weeks.
For many young Nigerians, success in the UTME is seen as a key step toward higher education and better job opportunities. With more than 1.5 million candidates already registered, competition is expected to be intense.
JAMB’s latest warning serves as a reminder that while the board is working to make the process smooth, candidates and parents must also stay alert.
The board advised candidates to carefully read its official advertisement and guidelines. Doing so, it said, will help them avoid being misled or exploited by dishonest individuals or centers.
