The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that the sale of application forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) will commence on Monday, January 26, 2026. The Board also confirmed key registration and examination dates for the 2026/27 admission cycle.
In a public statement, JAMB said, “Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria for the 2026/27 academic session.”
The Board reiterated its age eligibility policy, stating that only candidates who will be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, are generally eligible to apply. However, JAMB introduced a waiver for exceptionally gifted underage candidates. Such applicants will be subjected to an intensive evaluation process and must attain a minimum score of 80 percent in each of UTME or A-Level, Post-UTME, SSCE, and the exceptional candidate assessment. JAMB added that the results of underage candidates will be withheld pending the conclusion of the evaluation.
According to the released timetable, UTME registration including for foreign candidates will run from January 26 to February 28, 2026. The sale of e-PINs will begin earlier, from January 19 and end on February 26, 2026, while registration officially closes on February 28.
For Direct Entry candidates, the sale of application documents and e-PINs will take place from March 2 to April 25, 2026. These will be available exclusively at JAMB State and Zonal Offices nationwide.
JAMB also announced three categories of e-PINs: Direct Entry at ₦5,700; UTME without Mock at ₦7,200; and UTME with Mock at ₦8,700. The fees cover the application charge of ₦3,500, reading text fee of ₦1,000, CBT centre registration service charge of ₦700, CBT centre UTME service charge of ₦1,500, bank charges of ₦500, and an optional mock examination fee of ₦1,500.
The Board further disclosed that the 2026 UTME will be conducted from April 16 to April 25, 2026, while the optional Mock UTME is scheduled for March 28, 2026.
The announcement formally signals the commencement of the 2026/27 admission process for tertiary institutions across the country, as prospective candidates prepare for another competitive admission cycle.
