JAMB announces 2026 UTME, DE forms sale; sets registration, exam dates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the commencement of the sale of application documents for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) admissions for the 2026/2027 academic session.

The announcement was contained in a release, a photostatement signed by the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and shared on the Board’s official X handle on Tuesday night.

JAMB said, “Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria for the 2026/27 academic session.”

The Board explained that eligibility is age-dependent, stating that “Only candidates who will not be less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 are generally eligible to apply/be considered.”

However, JAMB made provisions for underage candidates under strict conditions. According to the release, “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 must have scored not less than 80% in each of

UTME/ALEVEL, PUTME, SSCE and in the exceptional candidate assessment.”

It added that “The UTME results of the underage candidates will be released only at the conclusion of the complete evaluation process.”

ATTENTION PROSPECTIVE 2026 UTME/DE CANDIDATES pic.twitter.com/SZflLaoZH8

— JAMB (@JAMBHQ) January 13, 2026

On registration timelines, the Board announced that “The period of registration for UTME candidates, including those from foreign countries, is from Monday, 26th January, 2026 to Saturday, 28th February, 2026.”

JAMB further disclosed that “E-PIN vending for UTME begins on Monday, 19 January, 2026, and ends on Thursday, 26 February, 2026, while registration closes on Saturday, 28th February, 2026.”

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

JAMB also announced three categories of e-Pins, stating, “There will be three categories of E-PINS: Direct Entry (N5,700); UTME ONLY WITHOUT MOCK (N7,200); UTME WITH MOCK (N8,700).”

According to the Board, the cost breakdown 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.”

On examination dates, JAMB noted that “The 2026 UTME will commence on Thursday, 16th April, 2026 and end on Saturday, 25th April, 2026.”

It added that “Mock-UTME (optional) shall hold on Saturday, March 28th, 2026