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, with a strong emphasis on age eligibility and registration deadlines.
The schedule was 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 Board, applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions across Nigeria for the 2026/2027 academic session.
JAMB stressed that eligibility for admission is age-based, noting that only candidates who will be at least 16 years old by 30 September 2026 are generally qualified to apply. However, candidates who will be below the age limit may be considered only after undergoing an intensive evaluation for a waiver. Such underage candidates are required to score a minimum of 80 per cent in each of the UTME or A-Level, Post-UTME (PUTME), Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), and the exceptional candidate assessment. The Board added that the UTME results of underage candidates would only be released after the completion of the entire evaluation process.
On registration timelines, JAMB disclosed that UTME registration, including for candidates from foreign countries, will run from Monday, 26 January 2026 to Saturday, 28 February 2026. E-PIN vending for UTME candidates 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, the Board 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 exclusively at JAMB’s State and Zonal Offices nationwide.
JAMB 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 the fees shows an 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 an additional ₦1,500 for the CBT mock-UTME centre charge.
Meanwhile, the Board 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.
JAMB advised prospective candidates to adhere strictly to the outlined timelines and requirements to avoid disqualification.
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