The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the full details for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) admission exercise for the 2026/2027 academic session.

The announcement, signed by Professor Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB Registrar, was made public via the Board’s official communication channels. It outlines who can apply, how much candidates will pay, key registration dates, and the timeline for examinations.

Who Is Eligible to Apply for 2026 UTME and Direct Entry?

JAMB has restated its age requirement for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Minimum Age Requirement

• Applicants must be at least 16 years old by 30 September 2026 to be generally eligible.
  

Special Provision for Underage Candidates

Candidates who will be below 16 years by the stated date may still apply, but only under strict conditions.

Such candidates must:

• Undergo a special assessment
  
• Score not less than 80% in:
  
  • UTME or A-Level results
    
  • Post-UTME
    
  • Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE)
    
  • The exceptional candidate evaluation conducted by JAMB
    

JAMB clarified that UTME results for underage candidates will be withheld until the assessment process is fully completed.

UTME Registration Timeline for 2026

Candidates intending to sit for the 2026 UTME should take note of the official schedule:

UTME Registration Period

• Start: Monday, 26 January 2026
  
• End: Saturday, 28 February 2026
  

UTME E-PIN Sales

• Begin: Monday, 19 January 2026
  
• Close: Thursday, 26 February 2026
  

This timeline applies to both Nigerian and foreign candidates.

Direct Entry (DE) Application Dates

For candidates applying through Direct Entry, JAMB released a separate schedule:

DE Application & E-PIN Sales

• Start: Monday, 2 March 2026
  
• End: Saturday, 25 April 2026
  

 Important Note:
Direct Entry registration will be carried out only at JAMB State and Zonal Offices nationwide.

Cost Breakdown for 2026 JAMB Registration

JAMB introduced three e-PIN categories for the 2026 admission exercise:

Approved E-PIN Prices

• Direct Entry (DE): ₦5,700
  
• UTME without Mock: ₦7,200
  
• UTME with Mock: ₦8,700
  

Detailed Fee Components

• JAMB Application Form (UTME/DE): ₦3,500
  
• Reading Text: ₦1,000
  
• CBT Centre Registration Fee: ₦700
  
• CBT UTME Service Charge: ₦1,500
  
• Bank Charges: ₦500
  
• Optional Mock-UTME CBT Fee: ₦1,500
  

Candidates opting for the Mock-UTME will pay the additional charge.

2026 UTME and Mock Exam Dates

JAMB also confirmed the examination timetable:

Mock-UTME

• Saturday, 28 March 2026
  

Main UTME Examination

• Thursday, 16 April to Saturday, 25 April 2026
  

Candidates are advised to prepare early and monitor their examination details closely.

Warning on Multiple Registrations

JAMB issued a strong warning against duplicate registrations.

Candidates are:

• Not allowed to register more than once
  
• Advised to seek official corrections through JAMB if errors occur during registration
  

Attempting to submit a fresh application instead of correcting mistakes violates registration rules and may attract sanctions.

Final Note

The 2026 UTME and Direct Entry exercise marks another step in JAMB’s effort to ensure a fair, transparent, and well-structured admission process. Candidates who follow official guidelines, respect timelines, and complete registration correctly will avoid unnecessary complications.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to rely only on verified JAMB information channels and avoid misleading sources.