Direct entry registration for 2026 admissions to start march 2
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the commencement of registration 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 statement shared on the examination body’s official X handle on Tuesday night and signed by the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.
According to JAMB, the UTME is open to suitably qualified candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions. Registration for UTME candidates will begin in January 2026 and close in March 2026, with specific dates to be formally announced by the board.
The board later clarified that UTME registration will run from Monday, January 26, 2026, to Saturday, February 28, 2026, including for candidates from foreign countries. The examination itself is scheduled to take place between Thursday, April 16, 2026, and Saturday, April 25, 2026.
JAMB also announced that an optional mock UTME will be conducted on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Prospective candidates were reminded that possession of a National Identification Number (NIN) is mandatory before registration can be completed.
On age requirements, JAMB stated that only candidates who will be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, are generally eligible for admission consideration. However, candidates below the age limit may be considered for a waiver after undergoing an intensive evaluation process.
The board explained that underage candidates must score a minimum of 80 per cent in UTME or A-Level, post-UTME, Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination, and the exceptional candidate assessment to qualify. Their UTME results will only be released after the full evaluation process is concluded.
For Direct Entry applicants, JAMB said the sale of application documents and e-PIN vending will commence on Monday, March 2, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Registration for Direct Entry candidates will only be conducted at the board’s state and zonal offices nationwide.