The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced the registration timeline and key guidelines for the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry (DE) examinations. Candidates planning to sit for JAMB 2026 are strongly advised to take note of all dates and requirements to avoid missing out.
This post provides complete and updated details on JAMB 2026 registration dates, e-PIN sales, underage candidates’ conditions, and Direct Entry timelines.
Contents
JAMB 2026 UTME Registration Dates
According to JAMB, the registration period for 2026 UTME candidates, including candidates from foreign countries, has been fixed as follows:
- UTME Registration Starts:
Monday, 26th January, 2026 - UTME Registration Closes:
Saturday, 28th February, 2026
Candidates are advised to complete their registration early, as late registration will not be entertained.
JAMB 2026 E-PIN Sales Timeline
Before registering, candidates must first obtain a JAMB e-PIN. JAMB has announced the official dates for e-PIN vending:
- E-PIN Sales Begin:
Monday, 19th January, 2026 - E-PIN Sales End:
Thursday, 26th February, 2026
Note that e-PIN sales will close before the main registration deadline, so candidates should not wait until the last minute.
JAMB 2026 Underage Candidates Policy (Important Update)
JAMB has maintained its policy on minimum admission age but made special provisions for exceptional underage candidates.
Who Is Considered Underage?
Any candidate below 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 is classified as underage.
Conditions for Underage Candidates
Underage candidates will only be considered under strict evaluation conditions, which include:
- Scoring not less than 80% in:
- UTME or A-Level
- Post-UTME (PUTME)
- SSCE (WAEC/NECO/NABTEB)
- Exceptional candidate assessment conducted by JAMB
Release of Results
JAMB stated clearly that:
The UTME results of underage candidates will be released only after the completion of the full evaluation process.
This means such candidates may experience delays in result release.
JAMB 2026 Direct Entry (DE) Registration Dates
For candidates applying through Direct Entry, JAMB announced a different registration timeline:
- DE Application & E-PIN Sales Start:
Monday, 2nd March, 2026 - DE Application Closes:
Saturday, 25th April, 2026
Important Note for DE Candidates
Registration for Direct Entry candidates will be conducted only at JAMB State and Zonal Offices, not regular CBT centres.
Why You Must Follow JAMB 2026 Dates Carefully
Missing any of these dates can result in:
- Inability to register for UTME or DE
- Loss of e-PIN money
- Disqualification from the 2026 admission process
Candidates are advised to rely only on official JAMB-approved centres and verified announcements.
Summary of JAMB 2026 Key Dates
- UTME e-PIN Sales: 19 Jan – 26 Feb 2026
- UTME Registration: 26 Jan – 28 Feb 2026
- DE Registration: 2 Mar – 25 Apr 2026
- Underage Candidates: Must score 80% in all required evaluations
Final Advice
If you are planning to write JAMB 2026, start early, confirm your details carefully, and avoid last-minute rush. Bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates.