JAMB 2026 Registration Guidelines, Dates, Fees and Updates

As you plan to do your JAMB 2026 registration, that’s also how UTME2026.com has plans to make the process easy for you throughout. We will guide you with the registration process, requirements, fees, and all other important details you will need to ensure your JAMB experience is a good one.

Every year, millions of students sit for the UTME, an important exam that helps them gain admission into universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education in Nigeria.

This exam is organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which is in charge of making sure the entrance process into higher institutions is fair and by merit.

The JAMB’s UTME tests you on subjects related to the course you want to study, and it’s one of the key steps to getting into your dream school.

A Quick Summary Table for JAMB 2026 Registration

Item	Details
Exam Body	Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)
Exam Type	Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)
Main UTME Dates	Friday, April 25, 2026 to Monday, May 5, 2026
Mock UTME Date	March 7, 2026
Registration Period	February 3 to March 8, 2026
Sales of Forms Period	February 3 to March 8, 2026
Registration Fee	₦8,700 for UTME (with mock examination) ₦7,200 for UTME (without mock examination) $30 for foreign candidates
Printing of Exam Slips	From April 10, 2026
Creation of Profiles for Registration	Started on January 31, 2026
Direct Entry (DE) Application Deadline	April 7, 2026
Mock UTME Registration Deadline	March 7, 2026
Official JAMB Website	JAMB Official Website

The very first step you should take as a student preparing for admission into a tertiary institution in the 2026/2027 academic session is the JAMB registration. You must be enrolled and fully registered with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and then you proceed with all other activities of admission. Let’s start this whole guide from scratch.

What is JAMB?

JAMB stands for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. It is the official body in Nigeria that organizes entrance exams for students who want to gain admission into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other higher institutions.

The main exam JAMB conducts is called the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). It tests students in four subjects related to the course they want to study in higher institutions.

In simple terms, JAMB is the gatekeeper to higher education in Nigeria. If you want to enter a university or college, you must go through JAMB. Even if it is a direct entry mode you are considering, you can’t escape registering with JAMB. Now, what does JAMB registration mean?

What is JAMB Registration?

JAMB registration is simply the process students follow to officially apply/enroll for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the exam that determines if you’re qualified to gain admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education.

During JAMB registration, you will be required to create a JAMB profile online, purchase the registration form (online or from approved centres), fill in your personal details, choice of institutions, and selected courses, and choose four subjects related to your desired course of study. All these can only be done at an approved CBT (Computer-Based Test) centre, where your data (biometrics and photo) will be captured.

After completing registration, you’ll receive:

• A registration slip,
• Your exam date,
• And later, your exam center.

In short, JAMB registration is the first and most important step for any student who wants to go to a higher institution in Nigeria.

Who Can Register For JAMB 2026?

Any student in Nigeria who has it in mind to further his or her education at a tertiary institution and meets the age requirements for JAMB registration can register for JAMB. There are some eligibility criteria a student needs to meet before he or she can be allowed to register for JAMB. These criteria are outlined in details below:

1. O’level: You need to have finished your SS3 or be writing your WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB in the same year you want to write JAMB. This is because JAMB needs your O’Level results (WAEC/NECO/NABTEB) for admission.
2. Have At Least Five (5) O’Level Credits: this is another criterion you should meet if you want to register for JAMB. You need a minimum of five (5) credits in subjects related to the course you want to study. These must include English Language and Mathematics, except for some courses that do not require Mathematics, and you can either make use of WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, or a combination of any two of them e.g WAEC + NECO or WAEC + NABTEB or NECO + NABTEB.
3. Subject Combination: While registering for the JAMB UTME, you will be required to select the recommended JAMB Subject combination for the course you want to study. For example, if you want to study Nursing, Pharmacy or Medicine and Surgery, their subject combinations according to the JAMB brochure are: English Language, Biology, Physics and Chemistry. While Law demands, English, Literature in English, Government, CRS/IRS.
4. Email and Phone Number: Make sure you have a working email and phone number that will be used as a means of receiving any important information for JAMB during and after registration.
5. NIN: All candidates are required to have their personal National Identification Number (NIN). This is only possible if you meet the next criteria below
6. Age Limit: You should be at least 16 years old by the year of admission. Most universities require you to be 16 before resumption. If you are not even up to 16, you will not be allowed to have the NIN.

A Quick Summary Table for JAMB Eligibility:

Requirement	Explanation
Completed/SS3	Be in final year or have finished SS3
5 O’Level Credits	Must include English & Maths
Correct Subject Combination	Related to your desired course
Valid Email & Phone	For JAMB updates and results
NIN	Compulsory for JAMB registration
Age (16+)	Required for admission
Interest in Tertiary Education	JAMB is for further studies

JAMB Registration Fees For All Candidates 2026/2027

The table below contains the full breakdown of the JAMB registration fees for the UTME 2026:

JAMB UTME e-PIN	₦3,500
Reading Text	₦1,000
CBT Centre Service Charge	₦700
CBT Mock Service Charge	₦1,500
Bank Charges	₦500
CBT Mock-UTME Centre Charge	₦1,500

Now, let’s see ho this JAMB registration is being carried out.

How to Register for JAMB 2026/2027 (Step-by-Step)

Below is our step-by-step guide that you should follow to successfully register for the JAMB 2026:

Step 1: Get Your NIN Ready

1. You must have a valid National Identification Number (NIN) before anything else.
2. If you don’t, visit a NIMC centre to enrol.
3. When your NIN is ready, then you can proceed to step two (2)

Step 2: Create Your JAMB Profile

• Open the message app on your phone, send “NIN space  your‑11‑digit‑NIN” to 55019 or 66019.
• It costs around ₦50 via SMS.
• You’ll receive a 10-digit profile code. Kindly try and keep it safe!

Step 3: Prepare Your Email & Phone

• Have a valid, personal email address ready. An email address looks like myname@gmail.com
• Use the same phone number you used for NIN and profile code to avoid mix‑ups.

Step 4: Buy the JAMB e‑PIN

• Get the e‑PIN (₦3,500) through any of the means below:
  • Banks (e.g. Zenith, First Bank, GT Bank etc)
  • Online platforms or POS outlets
  • USSD (e.g. *737#)

Step 5: Visit an Accredited CBT Centre

To continue your JAMB registration, you must proceed to the nearest JAMB CBT Centre in your area or state and make sure to bring the following along:

• Face of registration: profile code + e‑PIN slip
• Personal data: home address, date of birth, state, LGA
• Documents: bio‑data, passport photo
• O’Level results – or indicate Awaiting Result
• Reading text Novel (₦1,000), if required

At the centre, make sure to:

1. Provide your details
2. Choose exam subjects & centres
3. Capture biometric data
4. Select whether to add Mock UTME (optional ₦1,500)
5. Pay a service charge (₦700)

Total estimated cost:

• UTME w/o Mock: ₦7,200
• UTME with Mock: ₦8,200

After JAMB 2026 Registration, What Next?

Let us greet you. Congratulations on completing your JAMB registration! Now that you have your JAMB registration slip and exam details, below are the important steps to take next:

1. Keep Your Registration Slip Safe

• Your slip has your exam date, time, and centre.
• Take a clear photo or scan it so you don’t lose your details.
• You will need it to enter the exam hall.

2. Start Serious Preparation

• Download the JAMB syllabus for your chosen subjects to know what to read.
• Get JAMB past questions and practice regularly.
• Create a reading timetable and stick to it.
• If you can, attend tutorials or join serious study groups.

3. Get Your Materials Ready

• You need HB pencils, erasers, and a clear bag for the exam day.
• Do not plan to go with phones, calculators, or smartwatches; they are not allowed.

4. Check Your Exam Centre Location

• Visit your exam centre at least a week before the exam to avoid getting lost on the exam day.
• Know how long it takes to get there and plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early on your exam day.

If You Registered for Mock, Prepare Well for It

• If you chose to write the JAMB Mock UTME, check the date on your slip and prepare for it.
• Use the mock as practice to understand the exam environment.

6. Stay Updated

• Follow official JAMB updates to know about any changes in exam dates or guidelines.
• Avoid relying on rumours. Always check JAMB’s official website or social media.

7. Stay Focused and Avoid Distractions

• Avoid distractions like too much social media, games, and unnecessary outings during your preparation period.
• Remember, JAMB is competitive, and your score will determine your admission chances.

8. Keep Your O’Level Results Ready

• If you used ‘Awaiting Result’ during registration, make sure that your WAEC/NECO/NABTEB results are ready for upload as soon as they are released.

9. Take Care of Yourself

• Eat well, rest properly, and take short breaks while reading to avoid stress.
• Confidence and a calm mind will help you on the exam day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Registering for JAMB is the first major step toward gaining admission into any Nigerian university, polytechnic, or college of education. Knowing how the process works will make your journey smoother and less stressful.

After you have completed your registration, it is important to stay organized and begin early preparation using the JAMB syllabus and past questions. Don’t forget to reprint your exam slip on time to avoid last-minute rush or confusion.

Preparing early will give you an edge and help you feel confident as the exam approaches. Whether you are sitting for the UTME or Direct Entry (DE), remember that this is an important step toward achieving your academic dreams. Stay focused, take your studies seriously, and make good use of available resources to guide your preparation.

We hope this post has given you all the guidance you need to successfully register for JAMB 2026 and start your admission journey confidently. If you have any questions or contributions, feel free to drop them in the comments below.

We wish you success in your exam and admission process!