JAMB begins sale of 2026 UTME and direct entry forms January 26

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that application process for admission into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions for the 2026 2027 academic session will commence later this month.

JAMB’s announcement was made public on Tuesday night through a photo statement signed by the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede and shared on the Board’s official X handle.

The examination board stated that applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria for the 2026 2027 academic session.

It also advised candidates to study the guidelines carefully before registering to avoid errors that could affect their admission chances.

“Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria for the 2026/27 academic session,” the statement read.

The board outlined the age requirement for candidates, stating that only candidates who will not be less than 16 years old by September 30, 2026, are generally eligible to apply or be considered for admission.

“Only candidates who will not be less than 16 years old by 30th September 2026 are generally eligible to apply or be considered,” JAMB said.

JAMB also provided conditions under which underage candidates may apply as it stated that candidates below the age of 16 by the specified date may still apply but will be subjected to an intensive evaluation process before admission consideration.

The statement explained that such candidates must score not less than 80 percent in all required examinations.

These include the UTME or A Level, Post UTME, Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE), and an exceptional candidate assessment organised by JAMB.

JAMB added that the UTME results of underage candidates will not be released immediately, the results will only be released after the evaluation process has been completed and the candidates’ eligibility confirmed.

On registration timelines, the board announced that UTME registration will commence on Monday, January 26, 2026, and close on Saturday, February 28, 2026, as this registration period applies to candidates within Nigeria and those in foreign countries who wish to sit for the examination.

JAMB further disclosed that the sale of e PINs for UTME will begin earlier.

According to the board, e-PIN vending will start on Monday, January 19, 2026 and end on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Also, registration at accredited Computer Based Test (CBT) centres will officially close on February 28, 2026.

For Direct Entry (DE) candidates, JAMB announced a separate schedule adding that the sale of its application documents and e-PINs will commence on Monday, March 2, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

Also, the board stated that DE registration will only be conducted at JAMB State and Zonal Offices nationwide.

JAMB explained that Direct Entry is designed for candidates who already possess higher qualifications such as diplomas, Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) certificates, Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) certificates, or university degrees and are seeking admission directly into 200 level.

JAMB further stated that the cost of application under three e-PIN categories are: Direct Entry e PIN is N5,700. UTME candidates who do not wish to sit for the mock examination will pay N7,200, while candidates who opt for the mock UTME will pay N8,700.

Furthermore, the board provided a breakdown of the charges included in the fees listing the:

▪️JAMB application fee as N3,500,

▪️The compulsory reading text as N1,000,

▪️CBT centre registration service charge as N700,

▪️CBT UTME service charge as N1,500,

▪️Bank charges as N500, and an

▪️Additional N1,500 for the mock UTME centre charge for candidates who choose that option.

JAMB also released the examination timetable starting with the 2026 UTME commencing on Thursday, April 16, 2026, and ending on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

It said the examination will be conducted at accredited CBT centres across all states of the federation and selected centres outside the country.

The optional mock UTME, JAMB said, has been scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026, describing it as an opportunity for candidates to familiarise themselves with the CBT format.

With the registration process set to take off, JAMB urged candidates to register only at accredited CBT centres and ensure that all personal details provided during registration are accurate.