The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set April 16 to 25, 2026, as the nationwide dates for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board disclosed this in an official release detailing registration processes, eligibility requirements, and fees for both UTME and Direct Entry candidates.
The announcement is to help students plan effectively for their exams and navigate the registration and testing process smoothly.
What they said
The board said UTME registration will open on January 26 and close on February 28, while Direct Entry registration will run from March 2 to April 25.
Candidates are required to complete a profile linked to a unique mobile number and their National Identification Number (NIN) before purchasing an E-PIN at participating banks, POS outlets, or online payment platforms.
“A 10-character profile code will be sent back to the phone number. Present this code at any participating bank, POS, or online payment platform to complete the E-PIN purchase,” JAMB explained.
The board also highlighted key exam dates, noting that the mock UTME will be held on March 28, 2026, while the main UTME is scheduled between April 16 and April 25. The board noted that the UTME results will only be released after the completion of the entire evaluation process.
In addition to logistical instructions, the board underscored academic requirements for candidates. UTME applicants must have at least five O’Level credit passes, including English Language, while Direct Entry candidates must have O’Level credits along with higher qualifications such as A-Level, ND, NCE, HND, or Degree.
The board also revealed that the mandatory reading text for all 2026 UTME candidates is “The Lekki Headmaster” by Kabir Alabi Garba.
More details
Candidates taking the UTME with the mock examination are required to pay N8,700, while candidates without the mock examination will pay N7,700. Direct Entry applicants are expected to pay N5,700. These fees cover the application, the prescribed reading text, computer-based test services, examination centre charges, and processing fees through banks or the NIMC.
JAMB further addressed inclusivity for candidates with disabilities, saying that candidates who are blind, deaf, or mute, as well as those with conditions such as albinism, Down syndrome, autism, dyslexia, or ADHD, should indicate their condition during registration to receive proper assistance and appropriate exam centre placement at JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) centres.
The board reminded candidates of its prohibition on the use of earphones, wristwatches, mobile phones, electronic devices, and pens, with only HB pencils allowed. It also emphasized that all admissions must be processed through JAMB, noting that any offers made outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) are considered illegal and will not be recognized.
What you should know
The board conducted a nationwide accreditation of 848 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres for the 2026 UTME, starting December 15, 2025 as part of its preparations to ensure standardization, security, and technical readiness ahead of the examination.
The exercise follows the 2025 UTME, which was marred by technical glitches affecting nearly 380,000 candidates in 157 centres, alongside cases of identity and biometric fraud, as well as leaked questions and irregularities at several centres.
In 2025, four centres were removed from the approved list due to operational deficiencies, forcing affected candidates to reprint examination slips and sit elsewhere.
For the 2026 exercise, accreditation teams are assessing centres for compliance with technical requirements, including proper CCTV coverage, network configurations to support biometric verification, functional laptops, and adequately sized registration halls and holding rooms.
