The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially opened the sale of application documents for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) admissions for the 2026/2027 academic session. This guide explains requirements, timelines, fees, and rules so you can register correctly and on time.
Who Can Apply & Age Rules
UTME is open to candidates seeking entry into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
“UTME is open to suitably qualified candidates for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions for the 2026/2027 academic session.”
Before registration, you must get a National Identification Number (NIN) and link it to your profile.
Age Requirement
“Only candidates who will not be less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 are generally eligible to apply/be considered.”
However, JAMB also allows a special evaluation for younger but highly qualified applicants to get a waiver:
“Candidates less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 will have to undergo an intensive evaluation to determine their eligibility for a waiver. Such must have scored not less than 80% in each of UTME/ALEVEL, PUTME, SSCE and in the exceptional candidate assessment.”
According to JAMB “The UTME results of the underage candidates will be released only at the conclusion of the complete evaluation process.”
Registration Dates & How It Works
UTME Registration Window
- E-PIN vending: Monday, 19 January 2026 to Thursday, 26 February 2026.
- UTME registration closes: Saturday, 28 February 2026.
- All candidates, including those from foreign countries, must complete registration within this period.
Direct Entry (DE) Timeline
- Sale of 2026 Direct Entry (DE) documents & E-PIN vending: Monday, 2 March 2026 to Saturday, 25 April 2026.
- DE registration will be conducted only at JAMB state and zonal offices.
Make sure you start early, because the portal will not accept registrations after the closing dates.
Official UTME Exam Schedule
JAMB has confirmed the official dates for the 2026 UTME and related activities:
- Mock UTME (optional): Saturday, 28 March 2026.
- 2026 UTME: Thursday, 16 April 2026 to Saturday, 25 April 2026.
These dates give you time to prepare and take practice tests if you choose to.
Fees & E-PIN Categories
JAMB introduced three categories of E-PINs for 2026 registration:
There will be three categories of E-PINS:
- Direct Entry (N5,700);
- UTME ONLY WITHOUT MOCK (N7,200);
- UTME WITH MOCK (N8,700).
The fees include several parts:
- UTME/DE JAMB Application Fee: N3,500
- Reading Text: N1,000
- CBT Centre Registration Service Charge: N700
- CBT Centre UTME Service Charge: N1,500
- Bank Charges: N500
- CBT Mock-UTME Centre Charge: N1,500
Be sure you pick the correct E-PIN at purchase because no refunds will be made after payment.
Entry Requirements Summary
While JAMB issues the form, you still need basic qualifications to be eligible:
For UTME
- Five (5) credit passes in O’Level subjects, including English Language.
- Mathematics is required for science, technology, and social science fields.
For Direct Entry (DE)
- A minimum of five (5) O’Level credits.
- Higher qualifications such as A-Level, NCE, OND, HND, or equivalent are required.
Check the official JAMB e-brochure for full subject-by-course requirements before you register.
Important Notes & Best Tips
1. Complete your JAMB profile linked to a unique phone number and your NIN before you buy an E-PIN.
2. Avoid using multiple NINs for registration; this is prohibited and can lead to sanctions.
3. Make sure your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) are correctly captured at the CBT centre.
4. Follow all the steps and instructions on the JAMB portal to avoid errors that could delay or invalidate your registration.