JAMB Revises 2026 UTME Fees and Publishes Registration Timetable

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has adjusted the charges payable for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), alongside a full schedule covering the sale of forms, the optional mock test and the closing dates for both UTME and Direct Entry (DE) applicants.

Candidates hoping to secure places at universities, polytechnics and colleges of education nationwide should study the changes closely and complete their applications within the stated windows, so as not to be disqualified.

When the 2026 Registration Opens and Closes

The board has fixed the following timetable for the exercise:

• Registration opens: Monday, 26 January 2026
• Registration closes: Saturday, 28 February 2026
• Direct Entry registration opens: Monday, 2 March 2026
• Direct Entry registration closes: Saturday, 25 April 2026
• Optional UTME mock examination: Saturday, 28 March 2026
• UTME examination period: Thursday, 16 April to Saturday, 25 April 2026

Applicants are urged to file their details early, since latecomers face congestion at CBT centres and a greater risk that their data will be captured incorrectly.

What the 2026 Registration Costs

The fees have been revised and now differ depending on whether a candidate chooses to sit the mock examination:

• UTME/Direct Entry registration with mock exam: ₦7,700
• UTME/Direct Entry registration without mock exam: ₦6,200
• Foreign candidates: $30

The new rates are higher than those of previous years and are tied to updated operational costs. Because JAMB regulates the charges, candidates have been warned against making extra payments to centres that are not authorised.

Eligibility and Documents Needed

Before the registration can go through, a candidate must satisfy the following conditions:

1. National Identification Number (NIN): a valid number issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
2. Biometric capture: fingerprints and a facial scan are taken to confirm the candidate’s identity.
3. Working contact details: a personal telephone number linked to the NIN is compulsory, because profile codes and confirmation messages are sent to it.
4. Academic record: no fewer than five (5) credits in relevant subjects, obtained through recognised qualifications such as WAEC or NECO.

Discrepancies between a candidate’s NIN and other personal information can render the application void and bar the candidate from sitting the examination.

How the Application Is Completed

The process runs in three broad stages.

Stage one: setting up a profile

A profile has to be created before a candidate goes to any CBT centre:

1. Dial the USSD code assigned by JAMB.
2. Enter the NIN to obtain a 10-digit JAMB profile code.
3. Keep the code safe, as it is required to finish registration at a CBT centre.

Stage two: attending an accredited CBT centre

Candidates should arrive with the following items:

• the 10-digit JAMB profile code
• the e-PIN or form voucher bought for the exercise
• a valid means of identification
• a working telephone number for receiving notifications

Staff at the centre will take biometrics and photographs, and cross-check the candidate’s information.

Stage three: confirming the application

After the biometrics have been verified and payment made, the centre issues a registration slip showing:

• the candidate’s name
• the UTME registration number
• the date and venue of the examination
• the subjects selected

Candidates should confirm that every entry on the slip is accurate before leaving the premises.

Support for Candidates With Physical Challenges

JAMB makes provisions intended to keep the exercise inclusive for candidates with physical challenges, among them:

• Braille papers or read-aloud support for those with visual impairment
• specially designated centres fitted with accessible facilities

Such centres are situated in major locations including Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Bauchi, Oyo, Jos, Edo, Ado-Ekiti, Kebbi and Yola. Anyone who needs an accommodation should inform the CBT centre ahead of time.

The Optional Mock Examination

The mock test, which candidates may choose to sit, is fixed for Saturday, 28 March 2026. It carries no obligation, but taking part helps candidates to:

• become comfortable using the computer-based testing (CBT) interface
• settle their nerves before the main paper
• hone their time management and performance during the actual UTME

Anyone who registers for the mock must add a service charge of ₦1,500 to the total payment.

Questions Candidates Ask Most

What are the opening and closing dates for the 2026 registration? The window runs from Monday, 26 January 2026 to Saturday, 28 February 2026.

Where does one register for the 2026 UTME? Applications are made online through the official JAMB website (www.jamb.gov.ng), with biometric capture completed at any JAMB-accredited CBT centre.

How much does registration cost?

• With the mock examination: ₦7,700
• Without the mock examination: ₦6,200

Which documents are required?

• National Identification Number (NIN)
• A valid email address and telephone number
• A passport photograph

When is the examination itself? From Thursday, 16 April to Saturday, 25 April 2026.

Is anything arranged for candidates with physical challenges? Yes. JAMB provides inclusive accommodations such as Braille and read-aloud facilities, along with accessible examination centres.

Must a candidate sit the mock? No. It is optional, though it is recommended as a way of getting used to the CBT format.

Which subjects make up the UTME?

• Use of English, which is compulsory
• Three other subjects selected according to the course the candidate intends to study (for instance Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Government, Literature-in-English, Arabic, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, French or Agricultural Science)

How long does the paper last? Three hours.

How does one find the assigned examination centre? Candidates print their e-registration slip from the JAMB website, and it usually becomes available about 10 days before the examination.

When are results released? They are announced once the examination has been concluded, within a reasonable period.

Getting Ready for the 2026 UTME

Keeping track of the dates, fees and procedures is essential for every candidate. To avoid problems at the last minute, applicants should:

• confirm that they are eligible and that their NIN details are correct
• register early while the official window remains open
• complete biometric and document verification
• decide in advance whether to sit the mock

Following JAMB’s instructions closely smooths the path through registration and the examination, and improves the odds of winning a place at one of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.