Prosper Okoye
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has begun registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) admissions for the 2026/2027 academic session, but the announcement has sparked concerns over high fees and limited registration centres.
UTME registration will run from 26 January to 28 February 2026, while exams are scheduled from 16 to 25 April 2026.
Direct Entry registration starts 2 March and closes 25 April 2026, and is only available at JAMB’s State and Zonal Offices.
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An optional Mock UTME will hold on 28 March 2026.
All candidates must have a National Identification Number (NIN). Applicants must also be at least 16 years old by 30 September 2026.
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JAMB said underage candidates may apply but will undergo a special evaluation. Results for these candidates will only be released after the evaluation process is completed.
The announcement has drawn strong reactions on social media. Zeno of Egbede questioned the UTME fee of 8,700 naira, saying JAMB should not charge high fees as it receives federal government funding.
“This body is not established to generate revenue for the government,” he wrote, adding that parents should not be “suffered unnecessarily.”
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Other users raised concerns about accessibility. According to JAMB’s website, there are only 28 states with 29 accredited registration centres.
Users including Olubiri and Illomechine Ella asked whether candidates from states without centres would have to travel to other states, highlighting potential logistical and financial challenges.
JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede said the board is committed to ensuring a smooth registration process for all candidates.
He emphasised that UTME is open to suitably qualified candidates, including those from foreign countries.
The board’s announcement is part of its annual process to regulate tertiary admissions in Nigeria, but the reactions underscore ongoing debates over fee affordability and equitable access for students across the country.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
