JAMB 2026 Registration Form Is Out: Dates, Price (N7,200), and New Novel

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially kicked off the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry process. For UTME candidates, the window to purchase your e-PIN is currently open but closes on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Recommended Post: How to Reprint JAMB Exam Slips.

The actual registration ends two days later on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Direct Entry (DE) candidates are next in line, with registration scheduled to run from March 2, 2026, to April 25, 2026. We advised you to read this post to the end.

The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba is the official novel for the upcoming UTME exam. Get yourself prepared.

In this article, we summarize JAMB registration documents and also provide you with the official PDF for download.

Cool, right?

Quick Summary:

1. JAMB Registration Dates (2026)

UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination)

E-PIN Sales: Monday, January 19, 2026 – Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Registration Period: Monday, January 26, 2026 – Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Optional Mock-UTME: Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Main UTME Examination: Thursday, April 16, 2026 – Saturday, April 25, 2026

Direct Entry (DE)

Registration & E-PIN Sales: Monday, March 2, 2026 – Saturday, April 25, 2026.

Note: DE registration takes place only at the Board’s State and Zonal Offices.

2. JAMB Fees and Costs

JAMB operates a cashless system; all payments are collected centrally and remitted to beneficiaries weekly.

Breakdown of E-PIN Costs:

UTME (Without Mock): N7,200.

UTME (With Mock): N8,700.

Direct Entry (DE): N5,700.

Foreign Candidates: $30 (Thirty US Dollars)

What the Fee Covers:

JAMB Application Fee: N3,500.

Reading Text (The Lekki Headmaster): N1,000.

1CBT Centre Registration Charge: N700.

CBT Centre Service Charge: N1,500.

Bank Charges: N500.

Mock Centre Charge (if applicable): N1,500

3. Eligibility and Requirements

Age Limit:

Candidates must not be less than 16 years old by September 30, 2026.

Underage Waiver: Candidates younger than 16 by this date must undergo an evaluation. They must score at least 80% in UTME, A-Level/PUTME, SSCE, and an exceptional candidate assessment. Their results will be withheld until this evaluation is complete.

Academic Requirements:

Degree (UTME): Minimum of 5 credit passes (English included) in not more than 2 sittings.

Mathematics is mandatory for Science, Technology, and Social Science programs.

1ND/NCE: Minimum of 4 credit passes including English (and Math for science programs).

Direct Entry: Minimum of 5 O-level credits (max 2 sittings) plus at least two A-Level passes or acceptable equivalents.

4. Registration Procedure (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Create Profile (Using NIN)

Send your National Identification Number (NIN) via SMS to 55019 or 66019.

Format: Type the word “NIN”, leave a space, then type your 11-digit NIN (e.g., NIN 00123456789).

You will receive a 10-character Profile Code on the same SIM.

Important: The phone number used must be unique to the candidate and will be used for all future transactions.

Step 2: Purchase E-PIN

Present your Profile Code at participating banks, MMOs, MFBs, or USSD partners.

Pay the required fee (N7,200, N8,700, or N5,700).

The E-PIN is sent via SMS to your phone.

Step 3: Final Registration at CBT Centre

Visit an accredited CBT Centre with your Profile Code and E-PIN.

Biometrics: All ten fingers will be captured. This authenticates your identity for the exam and admission.

No extra fees: Do not pay the CBT center for registration; the N700 registration fee is included in the E-PIN cost.

5. Direct Entry (DE) Specific Rules

Verification: Awarding institutions (IJMB, JUPEB, Cambridge, etc.) must verify certificates before registration is completed.

Awaiting Results: DE candidates cannot register with “Awaiting Results” for A-Levels; they must upload their results.

Exceptions:

Candidates awaiting results for IJMB/JUPEB/NABTEB must upload their Admission Letter and Registration Template.

UTME candidates can upgrade to DE if their A-level results are released after UTME registration.

Validity: Statement of results is accepted only within 3 years of the date of award (1 year for NCE).

Previous Admission: Candidates must disclose previous matriculation/admission details; failure to do so is an offense.

6. Exam Day & Prohibitions

JAMB Recommended Novel:

The compulsory novel for 2026 is “The Lekki Headmaster” by Kabir Alabi Garba.

Venue: Exams are held at any center in the candidate’s chosen town.

You can be posted to any center within your chosen examination town group.

Prohibited Items:

Earphones, wristwatches, mobile phones, electronic devices, and pens/biros are banned. Only pencils are allowed.

7. Support & Troubleshooting

Lost Profile Code: Send RESEND to 55019 or 66019.

Reset Password: Send PASSWORD [email] to 55019 or 66019.

Lost E-PIN: Send UTMEPIN or DEPIN to 55019 or 66019.

Complaints: Use the “Ticket/Support” link on www.jamb.gov.ng. No complaints by proxy or letter.

Correction of Data: Changes to biodata (Names, DOB) are generally not allowed. However, a “Re-Query” process exists via Template 007 to pull updated NIMC data, though changes will appear as footnotes.

8. Special Candidates (PWDs)

Blind/Deaf Candidates: Blind candidates receive a refund of registration fees if they have 5 credits.

Other Conditions: Candidates with Albinism, Down Syndrome, Autism, ADHD, or physical disabilities must indicate this during registration to be assigned to the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG).

9. Foreign Centers

Registration and exams are conducted in 10 foreign cities: Abidjan, Accra, Banjul, Beau, Cotonou, Jeddah, Johannesburg, London, Malabo, and Ouagadougou. Contact the Nigerian Embassy in these cities for guidance.

We summarized the JAMB registration documents for you to understand them perfectly.

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