The dates and costs for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) registration have been formally confirmed by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The sale of e-PINs has officially started as of today, Monday, January 19, 2026.
Key Dates for 2026
| Event | Start Date | Closing Date |
| UTME e-PIN Vending | Monday, Jan 19, 2026 | Thursday, Feb 26, 2026 |
| UTME Main Registration | Monday, Jan 26, 2026 | Saturday, Feb 28, 2026 |
| Mock-UTME (Optional) | Saturday, March 28, 2026 | — |
| Main UTME Exam | Thursday, April 16, 2026 | Saturday, April 25, 2026 |
| Direct Entry (DE) Reg. | Monday, March 2, 2026 | Saturday, April 25, 2026 |
Registration Price (2026)
JAMB has maintained a cashless registration system to prevent exploitation. There are three main categories depending on your needs:
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UTME with Mock Exam: ₦8,700
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UTME without Mock Exam: ₦7,200
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Direct Entry (DE): ₦5,700
Breakdown of Costs:
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JAMB Application Fee: ₦3,500
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Reading Text (Novel): ₦1,000
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CBT Centre Registration Fee: ₦700
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CBT Centre Exam Service Charge: ₦1,500
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Bank/Vending Charges: ₦500
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Mock Exam Fee (if applicable): ₦1,500
📝 3 Quick Steps to Register
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Generate Profile Code: Send
NIN [Your 11-digit NIN]to 55019 or 66019 via SMS from your personal phone number. -
Purchase e-PIN: Use your Profile Code to buy your e-PIN via a bank, USSD, or approved online platforms (Remita/Interswitch).
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Visit a CBT Center: Take your e-PIN and profile code to an accredited JAMB CBT center to complete your biometrics and final registration.
⚠️ Important Notes
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Age Limit: You must be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026.Underage candidates (less than 16) must score at least 80% in all relevant exams and undergo evaluation to be considered for a waiver.
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Novel: The official reading text for 2026 is titled “The Lekki Headmaster.”
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NIN: Your National Identification Number (NIN) is compulsory.Ensure the name on your NIN matches the name you use for JAMB.