2026 UTME Registration: What You Need To Know

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued fresh updates and detailed procedures for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The announcement, made via the board’s official X handle on Sunday, December 7, is designed to guide candidates ahead of registration and eliminate the errors that have affected applicants in previous years.

JAMB emphasized that accurate personal information, especially NIN details, must be confirmed before registration starts. The board has also strengthened biometric security and anti-fraud measures to ensure a fair and credible process.

Registration Guidelines

The UTME remains the primary requirement for admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in Nigeria. Below is a clear breakdown of key requirements and procedures:

Eligibility
Candidates must be at least 16 years of age by September 30, 2026, and they must have a valid National Identification Number (NIN).

UTME is for secondary school leavers, while Direct Entry (DE) is for applicants with A-Level or equivalent qualifications.

Registration Dates
UTME registration will take place from January 31 to March 8, 2026, only at accredited CBT centers and official JAMB offices.

Direct Entry registration begins March 10 and ends April 7, 2026.

How to Register
Step one: Confirm that your NIN details are correct. Send a text message in this format: NIN followed by your 11-digit number to 55019 or 66019 to generate your profile code. Once generated, your biodata cannot be edited.

Step two: Visit any accredited CBT center with your profile code to begin the process.

Step three: Purchase your E-PIN from approved banks, online vendors on the JAMB portal, or on-site sales points at registration centers.

Step four: Fill in your personal details and select up to four institutions or courses. Carefully review entries on the preview screen before your biometrics are captured.

Step five: Complete thumbprint and photo capture. Any challenge with fingerprints must be reported and resolved through JAMB, not ignored.

JAMB has warned candidates to avoid third-party agents and unauthorized online pages promising quicker

Common Challenges and How to Avoid Them

Some candidates encounter errors while generating their profile code, often because the NIN text was not typed correctly.

Ensure the message format is accurate and there are no extra spaces. If you get a notice saying your phone number has already been registered, it means it was previously used to create a profile, so you may need to try a different number.

When a NIN fails to verify, it could be a temporary network or server issue. Give it some time and resend the message. If the error continues, visit a NIMC office to update or correct your details.

For biometric capture, ensure your fingers are clean and free from cuts or dryness to avoid scanning problems.

If the system continues to reject your fingerprint, ask for support from the center or head to a JAMB office for proper assistance.

Registering early remains the best way to avoid unnecessary pressure and last-minute mistakes.

What Comes Next?

A mock examination will hold on April 10, 2026, for candidates who choose to participate. Mock slips will be available for reprinting from April 18.

The main UTME will run from April 25 to May 5, 2026, and candidates will reprint their exam slips a week to the test date.

Results are expected within two weeks of the examination. From June 2026, the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) will manage the admission process across tertiary institutions.

JAMB has also teased new e-learning tools for better preparation, including access to syllabuses, tutorials, and practice tests on its portal.

With the countdown already on, candidates are encouraged to verify their details early, follow official updates, and prepare effectively. For accurate information, visit the JAMB website at jamb.gov.ng