The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has published the timetable, fee schedule and registration guidelines for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Candidates seeking places at Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education will need to work within the published timelines and satisfy every requirement if their application is to stand. The UTME remains the country’s principal qualifying examination for entry into tertiary institutions, and millions of candidates apply each year. Below is a rundown of the 2026 timetable, what the form costs, who qualifies, the registration stages, the provisions made for candidates with physical challenges, plus other JAMB updates worth noting.

The 2026 registration calendar

JAMB has set separate windows for registration and for the other activities tied to this year’s exercise. Anyone who misses them risks losing the chance to sit the examination and to be considered for admission.

The published schedule is as follows:

  • Registration opens: Monday, 26 January 2026
  • Registration closes: Saturday, 28 February 2026
  • Direct Entry form sales open: Monday, 2 March 2026
  • Direct Entry form sales close: Saturday, 25 April 2026
  • Optional mock examination: Saturday, 28 March 2026
  • Examination window: Thursday, 16 April to Saturday, 25 April 2026

These dates are fixed and are carried in the official JAMB 2026 syllabus and registration bulletin. Candidates are urged to finish the process long before the deadline rather than leave it to the final days.

What the UTME form costs

Budgeting begins with the price of the form. JAMB reviews the cost annually, and the figure covers both the application fee and the charges attached to filling and processing the UTME form.

For 2026, the approved charges break down as follows:

  • Application fee (UTME and Direct Entry): ₦5,700
  • Reading text, if purchased: ₦1,000
  • CBT centre service charge, mock excluded: ₦1,500
  • Service charge for the mock examination: ₦1,500
  • Bank processing: ₦500

What a candidate pays in total therefore depends on whether the mock test is included:

  • Overall total without the mock: ₦7,200
  • Overall total with the mock: ₦8,700

Candidates should not hand over more than these amounts. Extra levies imposed by centres, or any charge falling outside the approved schedule, are prohibited.

Who is eligible to register

Entry to the UTME is conditional on meeting the board’s requirements. Before starting, a candidate must satisfy the following:

  1. A valid National Identification Number (NIN): the number must be issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
  2. Age and educational qualification: at least five credits in relevant subjects, obtained at a recognised West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or an equivalent examination.
  3. Biometric capture: registration involves submitting biometric data, fingerprint scans included.

Any error in NIN records should be corrected before the process begins. Where NIN details and JAMB records do not match, an application can be invalidated.

Registering, stage by stage

The process runs through a sequence of steps, and accuracy at each one rests with the candidate. Mistakes can cause delays or lead to the application being rejected.

Step 1: Assemble the documents

Candidates should have the following ready:

  • A valid NIN
  • A working phone number tied to the NIN
  • A valid government-issued means of identification
  • Access to a CBT centre accredited by JAMB

Step 2: Create the profile

A JAMB profile must be generated before a candidate goes to a CBT centre:

  1. Dial the USSD code designated by JAMB.
  2. Send the NIN through USSD to obtain a 10-digit JAMB profile code.
  3. Keep that code safe; it is needed at every later stage.

Candidates who want more detail can turn to a separate guide on creating a JAMB online profile.

Step 3: Go to an accredited centre

Registration is done in person, and only at a centre accredited by JAMB. Candidates should present:

  • The 10-digit profile code
  • A valid card or voucher (e-PIN) bought for the exercise
  • A working phone number for confirmation and SMS updates

Staff at the centre help with the biometric capture and the completion of the examination profile.

Step 4: Give biometrics

Biometric capture is compulsory. Fingerprints and the other required data must be recorded correctly. Where that data is incomplete or inaccurate, the registration will be invalidated, and the candidate may be barred from sitting the examination.

Step 5: Check the slip

Once biometrics have been taken and payment made, the centre issues a registration slip showing:

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  • The candidate’s names
  • The UTME registration number
  • The examination date and venue
  • The subjects to be sat

The details should be checked on the spot for accuracy.

Arrangements for candidates with physical challenges

UTME policy contains provisions intended to give candidates with physical challenges equitable access. Those who qualify can sit the examination under conditions suited to their needs.

What support is available

  • Braille or audio assistance for candidates with visual impairment
  • Allocation of examination towns where the necessary support facilities exist

Centres serving visually impaired and physically challenged candidates are located in:

  • Abuja
  • Bauchi
  • Edo
  • Ado-Ekiti
  • Enugu
  • Kano
  • Kebbi
  • Lagos
  • Oyo
  • Jos
  • Yola

Such candidates should register early and inform the CBT centre of their particular requirements.

The optional mock examination

JAMB runs an optional mock test to familiarise candidates with computer-based testing. Taking part is not compulsory, but it can:

  • Help candidates get used to the CBT interface
  • Ease nervousness before the real test
  • Sharpen the time management needed during the UTME

The mock is set for Saturday, 28 March 2026. Anyone registering for it should budget for the additional service charge.

Rules to observe and pitfalls to avoid

Avoidable mistakes can cost a candidate the examination. The following points matter:

Use only accredited centres

Applications must go through CBT centres accredited by JAMB. Registration agents and other unauthorised providers are not recognised, and using them can put the validity of an application at risk.

Keep personal data consistent

Names, date of birth and NIN must tally with official documents. A discrepancy can result in the candidate being refused entry to the examination, or create complications later during admissions.

Pay nothing above the approved fees

No candidate should accept charges beyond the official structure. A centre demanding excessive payment should be reported to JAMB.

Keep the phone line active

The number linked to the NIN must stay in service, since it carries the profile code, confirmation messages and other notices about the examination.

Common questions answered

How much does the 2026 UTME form cost?

The base application fee is ₦5,700. Once service charges are added, the total comes to between ₦7,200 and ₦8,700, depending on whether the mock test is included.

When does registration open and close?

It opens on Monday, 26 January 2026 and closes on Saturday, 28 February 2026.

Can a candidate register after the deadline?

No. JAMB enforces the timeline strictly, and applications submitted after the closing date will not be processed.

Is biometric data compulsory?

Yes. Every UTME registration requires biometric capture. Without it, the application is invalid.

What is in place for candidates with physical challenges?

The board provides accommodations, among them assisted formats and designated centres.

Getting ready for the UTME

Success in the 2026 UTME begins with careful preparation and close attention to the schedule and procedures. Candidates should:

  • Confirm that they meet the eligibility conditions
  • Obtain and verify their NIN details
  • Register early, within the published window
  • Make sure every entry is accurate and complete

Further guidance is available on uploading results to the JAMB portal for 2026/2027 and on JAMB regularisation for NYSC registration.

Keeping to the official JAMB UTME registration dates, knowing what the form costs and following the correct procedure for registering give candidates a better chance of a smooth examination and a stronger case for a tertiary admission.