Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has formally announced the commencement of the sale of application documents for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria and designated foreign centres. The announcement, issued from the Board’s national headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, outlines detailed guidelines, timelines and requirements for candidates seeking admission into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other degree-awarding institutions across the country.
According to the notification, the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry registration exercise is scheduled to begin in January 2026, with the Computer-Based Test to hold nationwide and in selected foreign centres between Thursday, April 16 and Monday, April 27, 2026. The Board stated that the exercise will be conducted strictly in line with its established standards to ensure transparency, credibility and fairness in the admission process.
JAMB clarified that only candidates who meet the stipulated eligibility criteria will be allowed to register. For UTME, applicants must possess a minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained at not more than two sittings in SSCE, GCE, NECO or approved equivalents. Candidates awaiting results are permitted to apply, but must upload their results to the JAMB portal before admission can be considered. For Direct Entry applicants, the Board noted that candidates must possess advanced qualifications such as A-levels, NCE, ND, HND or equivalent credentials, depending on the requirements of their chosen institutions and courses.
The Board reiterated that registration for the 2026 examination will be done only at accredited Computer-Based Test centres and JAMB-approved registration points nationwide. It warned candidates against patronising cybercafés, roadside operators or unapproved agents, stressing that such actions could lead to invalid registration or loss of personal data. JAMB emphasised that it will not be responsible for any errors arising from registrations carried out outside its approved centres.
As part of the registration process, candidates are required to generate a profile code by sending their National Identification Number via SMS to the designated short code. The profile code, according to the Board, is mandatory and unique to each candidate, and will be used throughout the admission process. JAMB stressed that candidates must use their personal phone numbers, as the numbers will be tied permanently to their profiles.
The Board also announced that the 2026 UTME registration fee and other associated charges remain payable only through approved channels. These include banks, mobile money operators and other designated platforms. Candidates were advised to avoid cash transactions at centres, as all payments are to be electronically traceable to prevent fraud and extortion. JAMB stated that it has strengthened its monitoring mechanisms to detect and sanction any centre or individual found violating registration guidelines.
In line with its commitment to inclusive education, JAMB disclosed that special provisions have been made for candidates living with disabilities. The Board said such candidates would be allowed to indicate their status during registration, enabling it to make appropriate arrangements to ensure a fair and comfortable examination experience. It added that dedicated centres and support systems would be provided where necessary, in line with global best practices.
The Board further cautioned candidates to ensure that their biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, are properly captured during registration. It explained that biometric verification remains a critical component of the examination process and will be used to authenticate candidates at various stages, including entry into examination halls and result processing. Any candidate with biometric inconsistencies, the Board warned, may be disqualified from the examination.
On examination conduct, JAMB reiterated that the 2026 UTME will be entirely computer-based and that candidates are expected to familiarise themselves with the CBT format. It encouraged candidates to take advantage of available mock examinations and practice platforms to improve their computer literacy and time management skills. The Board noted that past experience has shown that familiarity with the CBT environment significantly enhances candidates’ performance.
The Board also announced that candidates will be allowed to choose up to two institutions and programmes during registration, subject to prevailing admission policies. It reminded candidates to make informed choices based on their qualifications and career aspirations, as changes after registration may attract additional charges and are subject to deadlines. JAMB advised candidates to carefully review the requirements of their chosen institutions before final submission.
In its advisory, JAMB warned against examination malpractice, impersonation and other forms of misconduct. It stated that the penalties for such offences remain severe and include cancellation of results, blacklisting from future examinations and possible prosecution. The Board stressed that it has deployed advanced surveillance and monitoring technologies across CBT centres to detect and deter malpractice.
The Board further explained that results of the 2026 UTME will be released after thorough verification and analysis to ensure accuracy and integrity. Candidates were advised to check their results only through official JAMB platforms and to disregard any third-party websites or individuals claiming to have access to results ahead of official release.
In addition, JAMB disclosed that admission processing through the Central Admissions Processing System will continue to be strictly enforced. The Board reiterated that no candidate would be admitted into any tertiary institution in Nigeria without passing through CAPS and accepting the offer on the platform. Institutions were also warned against conducting admissions outside the approved system, as such admissions would be deemed invalid.
The announcement also touched on foreign centres, noting that Nigerian candidates in selected countries would be able to sit for the UTME abroad, subject to specific guidelines and availability of centres. JAMB stated that details of the designated foreign centres and their registration procedures are available on its official platforms.
As the registration period approaches, JAMB urged candidates and parents to stay informed through official announcements and to seek clarification only from recognised JAMB offices and channels. It advised candidates to read all instructions carefully, ensure accuracy in their data submission and keep their registration details secure.
With the release of the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry application documents, the Board said it remains committed to conducting a credible and hitch-free examination that will support merit-based admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. Candidates across the country are now expected to begin preparations in earnest, as the countdown to the 2026 examination cycle officially begins.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments