By Deborah Nnamdi
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has scheduled the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to hold nationwide from April 16 to 25. The board announced an official release detailing registration processes, eligibility requirements, and fees for both UTME and Direct Entry candidates.
According to JAMB, 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 create 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 to the registered phone number, which candidates must present to complete the E-PIN purchase.
The board also highlighted that the mock UTME is scheduled for March 28, 2026, with results for both the mock and main examinations to be released only after the full evaluation process. UTME applicants must have at least five O’Level credit passes, including English Language, while Direct Entry candidates are expected to possess O’Level credits along with higher qualifications such as A-Level, ND, NCE, HND, or Degree.
JAMB revealed that the mandatory reading text for all 2026 UTME candidates is The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba. Fees for the examination are set at N8,700 for candidates taking the UTME with the mock examination, N7,700 for those without the mock, and N5,700 for Direct Entry applicants. These fees cover the application, reading text, computer-based test services, examination centre charges, and bank processing fees.
The board also underscored inclusivity measures for candidates with disabilities, including those who are blind, deaf, mute, or have conditions such as albinism, Down syndrome, autism, dyslexia, or ADHD. Affected candidates are advised to indicate their condition during registration to ensure proper assistance and placement at JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) centres.
JAMB reiterated its prohibition on the use of earphones, wristwatches, mobile phones, electronic devices, and pens during the examination, noting that only HB pencils are allowed. The board emphasized that all admissions must be processed through JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), warning that offers made outside CAPS will not be recognized.
As part of preparations, JAMB has conducted nationwide accreditation of 848 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, starting December 15, 2025, to ensure technical readiness, security, and standardization. The exercise follows the 2025 UTME, which faced technical glitches affecting nearly 380,000 candidates, alongside cases of identity fraud, leaked questions, and irregularities in several centres. Accreditation teams are assessing 2026 centres for proper CCTV coverage, network capacity, functional laptops, and adequate registration and holding facilities to prevent a repeat of last year’s issues.
