The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has paid a total of ₦1.57 billion to accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres for registering candidates for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
According to a bulletin released by the Board and signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, the payment represents the ₦700 registration service fee collected from each candidate during the UTME registration process.
JAMB explained that it collects the ₦700 fee together with the UTME ePIN charge and then remits the CBT centres’ portion directly to the accredited centres on a weekly basis.
“In line with this arrangement, the Board has remitted a total sum of ₦1,570,671,200 to the CBT centres that participated in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration exercise,” the statement said.
The Board noted that the system was designed to ensure transparency and prevent candidates from being forced to pay extra or unauthorised fees during registration.
“This initiative has significantly curtailed abuses and the exploitation of candidates through the imposition of unauthorized charges,” the bulletin stated.
Under the arrangement, candidates who purchase the UTME ePIN are not required to make any additional payments at CBT centres, as the registration service fee is already included in the amount paid.
This means candidates can register at any accredited CBT centre without being asked for extra money.
JAMB also explained that the payment system supports a fully cashless registration process, particularly in privately owned CBT centres across the country.
To further strengthen accountability, the Board operates the “No View, No Pay” policy.
Under this system, CBT centres are only paid after JAMB verifies that the candidates they registered are valid and visible in the Board’s official registration platform.
“The policy is designed to curb registration infractions and ensure transparency in the process,” the Board stated.
The 2026 UTME registration exercise ended on February 28, while the examination is scheduled to hold nationwide from April 16 to April 25.
