The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended the deadline for the sale of Direct Entry (DE) application forms to May 8, 2026, in a move aimed at giving more candidates the chance to secure admission into tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The extension was announced on Wednesday by JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, in a statement shared on the board’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle. According to him, the decision became necessary to ensure that no qualified candidate is left out of the admission process due to time constraints.
He explained that the new deadline replaces the earlier closing date and provides additional time for prospective applicants who may have faced challenges in completing their registration.
“As part of measures aimed at ensuring that no Direct Entry prospective candidate is denied the opportunity to access tertiary education in the country, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has extended the sale of Direct Entry application documents to 8th May 2026,” the statement said.
Direct Entry is a pathway that allows candidates who already have advanced qualifications, such as National Diploma (ND), Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), or Higher National Diploma (HND), to gain admission directly into the second year of university programmes. It is different from the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which is the more common route for secondary school leavers.
Over the years, the Direct Entry program has become increasingly popular among candidates seeking alternative routes into universities, especially those who want to avoid starting from the first year or who are upgrading their qualifications.
However, the registration process has often been affected by heavy traffic at centres, technical issues, and delays in obtaining required documents. These challenges have led to repeated calls for JAMB to make the process more flexible and accessible.
In addition to extending the deadline, JAMB also announced the approval of five new registration centres across the country. The board said the move is part of efforts to reduce congestion at existing centres and make the process smoother for applicants.
The newly approved centres are located in different parts of Nigeria to cater to candidates in high-demand areas. They include the Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CODL) Mini Campus at the University of Ilorin in Kwara State, Bells University of Technology in Ota, Ogun State, and Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago-Iwoye, also in Ogun State.
Others are the Prof. Usman E-Learning Centre at the Federal College of Education (Special) in Oyo, Oyo State, and Human Development Initiatives (Grace House) in Iwaya, Sabo, Lagos State. The Lagos centre officially began operations on April 30, 2026.
JAMB noted that the addition of these centres is expected to ease the pressure on existing facilities, particularly in urban areas where large numbers of candidates usually gather for registration.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the development, describing it as a timely intervention that will help reduce stress for applicants. Many candidates often travel long distances or spend hours waiting in queues to complete their registration, especially during peak periods.
By bringing registration centres closer to more communities, the board hopes to improve access and reduce the burden on candidates and their families.
The decision also reflects ongoing efforts by JAMB to improve its services through the use of technology and better planning. In recent years, the board has introduced several reforms aimed at making the admission process more transparent and efficient.
These include the use of the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), which allows candidates to monitor their admission status online, and stricter measures to prevent examination malpractice and fraud.
Despite these improvements, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring that all candidates, including those in rural areas, have equal access to registration facilities and information.
The extension of the Direct Entry registration deadline is therefore seen as part of a broader strategy to address these gaps and promote fairness in the education system.
For many candidates, the extra time will provide an opportunity to complete their applications, correct any errors, and gather necessary documents. It also gives those who may have been undecided more time to consider their options.
Parents and guardians have also expressed relief, noting that the extension will reduce the pressure on families who may be struggling to meet the requirements within a short period.
As the new deadline approaches, JAMB has advised candidates to make use of the additional time wisely and avoid waiting until the last minute. The board also urged applicants to register only at approved centres to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
With thousands of candidates expected to take advantage of the extension, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining how smoothly the process will go.