Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for JAMB 2026 UTME/DE admission into Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria for the 2026/2027 Academic Session. Only candidates who will not be less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 are generally eligible to apply.
Eligibility
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 candidates must have scored not less than 80% in each of UTME/A’LEVEL, PUTME, SSCE, and the exceptional candidates assessment.
The UTME results of underage candidates will be released only at the conclusion of the complete evaluation process.
Once a candidate completes 2026 registration with biodata supplied by NIMC, subsequent changes of biodata will not be effected by JAMB for the 2026 admission.
For 2026, changes in previous data by NIMC will only be updated on existing JAMB records if the affected candidates go through a process of re-query to retrieve the updated data through TEMPL 007 during 2026 registration.
JAMB Fees and Charges
JAMB registration for 2026 UTME/DE is cashless.
As a result, the centralized collection of all third-party fees will continue, with remittances made to the different parties on a weekly basis.
The registration fee is non-refundable.
There will be three categories of e-PINs:
- Direct Entry (DE)
- UTME only without Mock (₦7,200)
- UTME with Mock (₦8,700)
The details are as follows:
- UTME/DE JAMB Application Fee – ₦3,500
- Reading Text – ₦1,000
- CBT Centre Registration Service Charge – ₦700
- CBT Centre UTME Service Charge – ₦1,500
- Bank Charges – ₦500
- CBT Mock-UTME Centre Service – ₦500
Candidates are to specify the type of e-PIN required at the point of purchase, as no refund would be made.
2.0 BIOMETRIC INTEGRITY, IMAGE CAPTURE AND ANTI-IMPERSONATION WARNING
2.1 Candidates are advised to ensure that only their own ten (10) fingers are captured individually and correctly at the CBT Centre.
MULTIPLE NIN USAGE AND DOUBLE REGISTRATION
The use of multiple National Identification Numbers (NINs) by a single candidate, or the purpose of double registration, impersonation, or any form of identity manipulation, is strictly prohibited and will be severely sanctioned.
3.0 REGISTRATION PERIODS
3.1 The period of registration for UTME candidates, including those from foreign countries, is from Monday, 26th January, 2026 to Saturday, 28th February, 2026. Candidates are to have valid, functioning, and accessible personal e-mail addresses before commencing the registration process.
E-PIN vending for UTME begins on Monday, 19th January, 2026 and ends on Thursday, 26th February, 2026, while registration closes on Saturday, 28th February, 2026.
Sale of 2026 Direct Entry (DE) application documents and e-PIN vending will commence from Monday, 2nd March, 2026 and end on Saturday, 25th April, 2026, and will only be at the Board’s State and Zonal Offices.
ELIGIBILITY CHECKER
Candidates should visit https://ibass.jamb.gov.ng/brochure to access IBASS for the e-BROCHURE/e-SYLLABUS.
GENERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR 100 LEVEL DEGREE/ND/NCE (UTME)
- Degree: Minimum of five (5) credit passes in English and other relevant subjects obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics is mandatory for Science, Technology, and Social Science programmes.
- ND/NCE: Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English for non-science and Mathematics for science programmes.
DIRECT ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A minimum of five (5) SSCE (O’level) credit passes at not more than two sittings, at least two of which must be at the Principal or Advanced level. Other acceptable qualifications in lieu of A’LEVELs are:
- First Degree (Nigerian Universities)
- University Diploma
- National Diploma (henceforth the certificate to be accepted for up to only 2024 intake)
- Nigeria Certificate in Education
- Diploma in Nursing Education
- Diploma in Midwifery
- French Language
- NBTE (ANTC)
- First Degree (Other Countries’ Universities)
- Cambridge A-level
- International Baccalaureate (foreign certificates only)
- Foreign GCE A-level
- International Foundation Certificates
Awarding institutions are required to forward verification to JAMB before registration can be completed.
Candidates are advised to pre-verify their DE qualification before completing their DE registration.
At the point of registration, all DE candidates must provide the following information:
- Registration/Matriculation Number of the previous school attended where the qualification was obtained
- Subject(s) of qualification
- Awarding Institution
- Affiliated institution actually attended (where applicable)
- Year of graduation
OTHER VITAL DE REGISTRATION AND ADMISSION RULES
- a) DE candidates who are not awaiting results must have uploaded their A-level qualification, O-level results, and DE registration template at the point of registration. No candidate is allowed to register or upgrade to DE with awaiting results.
- b) DE candidates will not be processed for admission until such claimed results are uploaded and verified by the awarding institutions on the JAMB DE facility platform.
- c) A DE candidate who, at the point of registration, is awaiting A-level results of IJMB/JUPEB/NABTEB must have uploaded the Admission Letter and registration template at the time of registration.
- d) Applicants with pre-2020 Cambridge certificates should visit Cambridge directly for verification. This verification exercise may take up to 28 days (as specified by the awarding body), after which the verification result will be forwarded to the Board. The verification will be reflected in the e-Facility profile of the candidate.
- e) Statement of results (in lieu of certificates) is accepted for registration only within three (3) years of the date of award, except NCE, which is one year.
- f) Upgrade from UTME to DE is available only to candidates whose A-level results have not been released at the point of UTME registration and who must have indicated at the point of registration that he/she is awaiting A-level results, the particulars of which must have been supplied and contained in the uploaded registration template.
- g) Candidates are hereby advised to constantly check their A-level admission status in their e-Facility profiles, where it will show the status of verification by NIPEDS, indicating “CLEARED” or “NOT CLEARED,” with the reason(s) for non-clearance.
REGISTRATION RULES
Candidates are not permitted to register more than once. In the event of any error during the registration process, such candidates are to seek correction from the Board and not obtain a fresh application, as duplication of applications attracts cancellation of all the applications.
Registration can only be done at JAMB-approved centres across the country. Any candidate who registers outside the approved centres does so at his/her own risk. The list and addresses of approved CBT centres are on the official website of the Board (www.jamb.gov.ng).
Non-candidates, including parents/guardians or any proxy, are NOT allowed to transact any business on any candidate’s profile. Any candidate who makes his/her password, profile code, or other security codes available to another person (parents, friends, tutorial teachers, fraudsters, etc.) is liable for any alteration done by such other person(s).
Candidates are henceforth required to disclose their admission (matriculation) status by indicating their previous registration details with the year of UTME/DE at the point of registration. Any false or non-declaration of previous registration/matriculation will automatically invalidate the candidate’s registration/previous admission. Having been previously admitted (matriculated) and wishing to change or start afresh in another institution or programme is allowed; however, failure to disclose such prior admission is an offence.
Every candidate is to note that his/her first choice can be any of the institutions, that is, College of Education, University, Polytechnic/Monotechnic, Nigerian Defence Academy, or Police Academy.
How to Purchase 2026 UTME/DE Registration Documents
CREATE A PROFILE
- A. Every candidate would require the use of a unique phone (mobile) number (SIM) for the registration process. The unique phone number can be used by one candidate only. (Note: This number (SIM) remains your unique identification for all your transactions with the Board for present and future transactions/applications.)
- B. Candidates who procure SIMs only for registration with JAMB and are not in regular use are advised to take advantage of the Keep My Number (KMN) facility offered by the respective Telcos. This feature keeps the SIM active even if unused by ensuring that it is not reassigned to another customer. KMN will keep the SIM for an initial period of three (3) years, which is renewable afterwards.
- C. A candidate will send his/her National Identification Number (NIN) by text (SMS) to either 55019 or 66019 from his/her personal GSM number. For instance, write the word “NIN,” then add a space and your 11-digit NIN number, and send to 55019 or 66019 in this format: (NIN 00123456789). The result will show a space between the word “NIN” and your 11-digit NIN. (Note that the number must not have been used by another person to register for UTME/DE in the past.) Do not use post-paid or special bundle package lines, as they do not work unless specially loaded with credit.
- D. A Profile Code of ten (10) characters will be received by the candidate on the same telephone (SIM) number. Returning candidates from previous years will still receive the same profile code on the same number previously used. Note that the profile code remains the same for present and future applications with the Board.
- E. Remember the e-mail address and phone (SIM) number used. This is of utmost importance for subsequent communication with the Board.
- F. JAMB does not entertain any request for a change of SIM number after profile creation.
- G. A candidate will present the Profile Code at the point of procurement of the application document (from Banks, MMOs, MFBs, Switches, USSD Partners). An e-PIN is then sent as a text message to the candidate’s phone.
- H. A candidate will present the Profile Code and e-PIN at any JAMB-accredited CBT Centre for registration.
- I. The application cannot be completed until the candidate’s biometrics (all ten fingers) are captured and a photograph is taken physically (no submission of passport photographs). Successful capture of biometrics and photograph will authorise a candidate to print his/her e-registration slip. (The candidate must use at least two fingers; any two can be used to print the registration slip. Fingerprint verification shall be required for any further transaction with JAMB on the candidate’s profile.)
- J. Only candidates whose biometric verification is successful on the examination day will be permitted to sit the UTME or Mock.
- K. Candidates with peculiar biometric challenges can only register at JAMB National and State Offices. Arrangements will be made for this through JAMB State Offices.
How to Retrieve JAMB Profile Code
- a. To retrieve a lost Profile Code, send the word RESEND from the same mobile number to 55019 or 66019 as a text message.
- b. Candidates can reset a lost or forgotten Profile Password on their registered e-mail address by sending the word PASSWORD, followed by a space and the e-mail address, from the same mobile number to 55019 or 66019.
Where to Buy JAMB e-PIN
The e-PIN outlets are:
- NIPOST
- Banks
- MMOs
- MFBs
- Other participating financial institutions
Note that participating financial outlets are responsible for collecting the Profile Code directly from the candidates’ phones, collecting payment, and vending the e-PIN electronically via SMS (not copying the code), facilitating payment through the POS system, and providing evidence of payment.
How to Make Payment for JAMB Registration
- a. Present the Profile Code and pay only ₦5,700 (DE), ₦7,200 (UTME with no Mock), or ₦8,700 (UTME with Mock).
- b. The e-PIN is then delivered to the candidate’s unique telephone number.
How to Register for JAMB in a Foreign Country
JAMB allows registration at ten (10) foreign centres.
- 1. Registration and UTME can be done in the following cities: Abidjan, Accra, Banjul, Beau, Cotonou, Jeddah, Johannesburg, London, Malabo, and Ouagadougou. The Nigerian Missions (Embassies) in each of these cities (countries) can be contacted for guidance on registration and examination.
- 2. Pay the fee: Registration fee for candidates from the ten foreign countries is $30 in each country or its local equivalent.
How to Recover JAMB e-PIN After Payment
- a. If the e-PIN is not received or is lost, send UTMEPIN from the unique number to 55019 or 66019 for UTME, respectively.
- b. The e-PIN will then be retrieved and delivered to the candidate’s unique phone number.
REGISTRATION CENTRES
- a. Registration is carried out only at accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres.
- b. Each candidate should visit any accredited CBT centre (the list of accredited centres is on the Board’s website at https://www.jamb.gov.ng and JAMB offices) with his/her Profile Code and e-PIN.
- A candidate must present his/her Profile Code and e-PIN at any JAMB-accredited CBT Centre for registration. A candidate’s photograph and biometrics (all ten fingerprints) would be captured at the CBT centre.
Candidates are to:
- Note that centre and bank charges of ₦700/₦500 respectively have been included in the total fee paid for the e-PIN, which JAMB remits to the centres; therefore, no other fee should be paid at the centre.
- Provide a valid and functional personal e-mail address that the candidate can always access.
- Provide qualification with grades and dates (if not awaiting results).
- Upload relevant certificates.
- Provide choice of institutions, course of study (programme), UTME subjects, and choice of examination town(s) for the optional Mock examination and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) (actual examination).
- Review entries and confirm correctness.
- Print Registration Slip/BIOMETRIC AUTHENTICATION.
Candidates Awaiting Results
Candidates who are awaiting results should supply (upload) the results online on the JAMB portal as soon as they are available. No recommendation from any institution will be considered by JAMB if the candidate does not upload his/her result on the JAMB portal. No institution is allowed to take a new applicant’s photograph or biometrics by registering other uploaded results. All results are downloaded by institutions from the Board’s website, and the download is tracked to avoid abuse.
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDs)
To ensure inclusivity, the following categories of candidates are to indicate their disability for special attention:
BLIND/MUTE/DEAF CANDIDATES
- Candidates who are blind are to indicate this by selecting BLIND from the dropdown options and also pick the closest designated JAMB CBT centre and preferred mode of examination.
- A special indicator for the deaf/mute has been created to identify them for special attention during the examination.
- To promote inclusivity, the Board fully refunds registration fees to the blind, the deaf, and those on wheelchairs who possess the required five (5) credits at the point of registration.
OTHERS
Candidates with Albinism, Down Syndrome, Autism, Dyslexia, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Amputees, Lame, Paralysed, Cerebral Palsy disfigurements are to indicate this by clicking on the appropriate box to be identified and assigned to the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) for special attention.
JAMB Candidates with Biometric Challenges
- a) No candidate will be allowed to enter the examination hall or sit for the examination if his/her biometrics are not verified.
- b) Candidates with biometric abnormalities can only register and take the examination at the Abuja Headquarters of the Board. The Board will facilitate their travels.
Date and Venue for 2026 UTME Examination
The 2026 UTME will commence on Thursday, 16th April, 2026 and end on Saturday, 25th April, 2026. The venue of the examination will be at any centre in the candidate’s chosen examination town.
JAMB Mock UTME
Mock-UTME (optional) will hold on Saturday, 28th March, 2026.
JAMB UTME Exam
Candidates are to note that irrespective of their choice of programme, they will also be tested on the general text, “The Lekki Headmaster” by Kabir Alabi Garba. All candidates are also expected to read the text.
Candidates/officials are allowed to bring ONLY pencils into the examination hall.
All admissions offered by institutions must be from JAMB and only printed on e-Facility. Any offer of admission from any tertiary institution without a JAMB Admission Letter is illegal and is liable to be immediately null and void.
Any candidate who accepts admission outside CAPS does so at his/her own risk, as the Board would neither recognise such admission nor condone it.
