The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the commencement of the sale of application forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) admissions for the 2026/2027 academic session.
The announcement was made in a photostatement signed by the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and shared on the Board’s official X handle on Tuesday night.
According to JAMB, applications are open to suitably qualified candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions. The Board stated that candidates must be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, to be eligible for admission consideration.
However, underage candidates may be granted waivers under strict conditions. JAMB explained that candidates below 16 years must score a minimum of 80 per cent in each of UTME/A-Level, Post-UTME, SSCE, and an exceptional candidate assessment to qualify. The UTME results of such candidates, it added, will only be released after the completion of the evaluation process.
On registration timelines, JAMB announced that UTME registration, including for candidates from foreign countries, will run from Monday, January 26, 2026, to Saturday, February 28, 2026. E-PIN vending for UTME candidates will begin on Monday, January 19, 2026, and end on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
For Direct Entry candidates, the sale of application documents and E-PIN vending will commence on Monday, March 2, 2026, and close on Saturday, April 25, 2026. JAMB noted that DE registration will only be conducted at its state and zonal offices.
The Board announced three categories of e-PINS: Direct Entry at N5,700; UTME without Mock at N7,200; and UTME with Mock at N8,700. The fees cover the JAMB application, reading text, CBT registration and examination charges, bank charges, and the mock examination where applicable.
JAMB also released the examination timetable, stating that the 2026 UTME will hold from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25, 2026, while the optional Mock-UTME is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026.
