JAMB Fixes Dates for 2026 UTME, Outlines Conditions for Under-16 Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the official timetable for the sale of application documents for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) admissions for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Details of the schedule were contained in a photo statement signed by the Registrar of the Board, Prof.

Ishaq Oloyede, and shared on JAMB’s official X handle on Tuesday night.
According to the statement, applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions across Nigeria for the 2026/2027 academic session.
JAMB explained that eligibility is age-based, stressing that only candidates who will be at least 16 years old by 30 September 2026 are generally qualified to apply or be considered for admission.
The Board, however, noted that candidates who will be below 16 years by the stated date may be considered only after undergoing an intensive evaluation to determine eligibility for a waiver. Such candidates must score not less than 80 per cent in each of UTME or A-Level, Post-UTME (PUTME), Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), and the exceptional candidate assessment.
It added that the UTME results of underage candidates would only be released after the completion of the entire evaluation process.
Providing details of the registration timelines, the Board stated that registration for UTME candidates, including those from foreign countries, will run from Monday, 26 January 2026 to Saturday, 28 February 2026.
It further disclosed that E-PIN vending for UTME will commence on Monday, 19 January 2026 and end on Thursday, 26 February 2026, while registration will officially close on Saturday, 28 February 2026.
For Direct Entry candidates, JAMB announced that the sale of 2026 DE application documents and E-PIN vending will begin on Monday, 2 March 2026 and end on Saturday, 25 April 2026. These will be available only at the Board’s State and Zonal Offices.
The Board also outlined three categories of E-PINS: Direct Entry at ₦5,700; UTME only without mock at ₦7,200; and UTME with mock at ₦8,700.
A breakdown of fees includes UTME/DE application fee of ₦3,500; reading text at ₦1,000; CBT centre registration service charge of ₦700; CBT centre UTME service charge of ₦1,500; bank charges of ₦500; and CBT mock-UTME centre charge of ₦1,500.
JAMB further announced that the 2026 UTME will commence on Thursday, 16 April 2026 and end on Saturday, 25 April 2026, while the optional Mock-UTME is scheduled to hold on Saturday, 28 March 2026.