JAMB Begins 2026 UTME Registration, Deploys Live Monitoring System

The Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has announced the commencement of the sale of registration forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Oloyede urged candidates to register at all JAMB-approved Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.

Speaking during a meeting with stakeholders in Abuja on Monday, the registrar advised candidates who need to correct biodata issues to do so with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) before proceeding for registration.

He stressed that JAMB will not correct or use any data other than the one generated from NIMC.

Speaking on registration timelines, Oloyede said, “The period of registration for UTME candidates, including those from foreign countries, is from Monday, 26th January, 2026, to Saturday, 28th February, 2026.”

He reminded prospective candidates that e-PIN vending for the UTME began on Monday, January 19, 2026, and ends on Thursday, February 26, 2026, while registration closes on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

For Direct Entry candidates, he said, “Sale of 2026 Direct Entry (DE) application documents and e-PIN vending would commence from Monday, 2nd March, 2026, and end on Saturday, 25th April, 2026 and the sale would only be at the Board’s Zonal and State Offices.”

The Registrar also announced that three categories of e-PINs would be available, which include Direct Entry N5,700; UTME Only Without Mock N7,200, and UTME With Mock N8,700.

The breakdown of the charges includes, “UTME/DE JAMB Application Fee: N3,500; Reading Text: N1,000; CBT Centre Registration Service Charge: N700; CBT Centre UTME Service Charge: N1,500; Bank Charges: N500; CBT Mock-UTME Centre Charge: N1,500.

According to the Registrar, the 2026 UTME will commence on Thursday, April 16, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 25, 2026, while the Mock-UTME (optional) shall hold on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Oloyede warned all CBT centres against engaging in dubious fraudulent practices ahead of the 2026 UTME, listing such practices to include extortion and vending above the regulated price, among others. He added that centres found culpable will have their licence withdrawn as well as be prosecuted.

He also advised operators of CBT centres to desist from engaging staff with questionable character, as ignorance would not be taken as an excuse for infractions.

In another development, the Board noted that as part of measures to curtail registration infractions and restore the sanctity of the Board’s examination processes, JAMB has invoked the “No Vision, No Registration, No UTME” clause for any Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre that cannot be covered or viewed remotely.

Oloyede, disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting held with Peace Monitors, Chief Technical Advisors (CTAs), Chief External Examiners (CEEs), Zonal and State Coordinators on monitoring of CBT centres during the 2026 UTME registration exercise.

According to the Registrar, all centres participating in the 2026 UTME registration exercise would be monitored live from JAMB Headquarters.

“Any centre whose registration activities cannot be viewed from the JAMB National Headquarters, Abuja, will not be paid, and such registration may be invalidated,” the Registrar said.

He also stressed the compulsory use of Microsoft or Digitech Live Cameras for UTME registration, noting that only these cameras are allowed to be used for capturing the second image during registration.

Oloyede maintained that the measure is to minimise manipulation of pictures as seen during the 2025 registration exercise.

While giving the specifications of the type of cameras allowed, he said, “All existing CBT Centres must have migrated to the HIKVision,” adding that the the NVRs must have a minimum of 16 channels to cover all areas of the examination centre.

“All CCTV systems must be wired, no wireless CCTV Systems CCTV cameras must cover all the examination area, verification area, holding room, walkways, examination hall, server room, as well as entrance and exit doors. Erring centres would be sanctioned including possible prosecution.”

Oloyede recalled that centres and individuals involved in unwholesome activities have been delisted and are being prosecuted, warning that JAMB would not hesitate to sanction any centre or individual involved in examination malpractice.