JAMB Begins Sale of 2026 UTME and Direct Entry Forms: Dates, Fees, and Exam Schedule

For many Nigerian families, the JAMB announcement marks the real beginning of another admission year. Late on Tuesday, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) confirmed the sale of application forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) for the 2026/2027 academic session. Beyond the dates and figures, the release quietly sets the tone for how prepared candidates need to be this time.

JAMB’s message is clear: planning early matters, eligibility rules will be enforced, and candidates must take responsibility for understanding the process from the start.

Registration timeline: what to note early

According to the Board, UTME registration opens on Monday, 26 January 2026 and closes on Saturday, 28 February 2026. Candidates who prefer to secure their e-PINs ahead of time can do so from Monday, 19 January to Thursday, 26 February 2026.

This window is shorter than many people expect. From experience, candidates who rush registration toward the final week often face avoidable stress—crowded CBT centres, system delays, and limited choices for exam towns. Starting early remains the safest option.

For Direct Entry candidates, the process follows a different calendar. Sale of DE forms and e-PIN vending begins on Monday, 2 March 2026 and ends on Saturday, 25 April 2026, strictly at JAMB State and Zonal Offices.

Age requirement and the underage clause

JAMB reaffirmed its age policy: candidates must be at least 16 years old by 30 September 2026 to be generally eligible for admission consideration.

However, there is a narrow path for exceptional underage candidates. Those below 16 may apply for a waiver, but the conditions are demanding. Such candidates must score not less than 80% across UTME or A-Level, Post-UTME, SSCE, and a special exceptional candidate assessment. Their UTME results will only be released after the full evaluation process is completed.

In practical terms, this means the waiver is not designed for average performance. Families considering this route should weigh the emotional and academic pressure carefully before proceeding.

Cost of the 2026 JAMB forms, explained simply

JAMB introduced three clear e-PIN categories for 2026:

• Direct Entry (DE): ₦5,700
• UTME without Mock: ₦7,200
• UTME with Mock: ₦8,700

The fees cover the application form, reading text, CBT registration charges, UTME service charges, and bank processing fees. Candidates who choose the mock exam pay an additional CBT mock centre charge.

From past admission cycles, the mock UTME has proven useful for first-time candidates who want to understand the CBT environment. While optional, it often reduces exam-day anxiety.

UTME and mock examination dates

JAMB confirmed that the 2026 UTME will run from Thursday, 16 April to Saturday, 25 April 2026. The optional Mock-UTME is scheduled for Saturday, 28 March 2026.

These dates leave little room for last-minute preparation. Candidates who are still “waiting to start reading” by February may find the pace uncomfortable by April.

What people are really asking right now

When does JAMB 2026 registration start and end?
UTME registration runs from 26 January to 28 February 2026. Direct Entry registration runs from 2 March to 25 April 2026.

How much is the JAMB 2026 form?
UTME costs ₦7,200 without mock and ₦8,700 with mock. Direct Entry costs ₦5,700.

Can under-16 candidates write JAMB 2026?
Yes, but only under strict conditions and with outstanding academic performance across multiple assessments.

When will the 2026 UTME exam hold?
Between 16 and 25 April 2026.

A grounded perspective from years of admission cycles

One consistent lesson from previous JAMB years is that success is rarely accidental. Candidates who understand the rules, register early, verify their details carefully, and prepare steadily tend to navigate the process with fewer surprises. JAMB’s increasing emphasis on age limits, data accuracy, and CBT discipline shows a system that expects maturity and readiness, not shortcuts.

One practical takeaway

If you are a 2026 candidate, aim to complete registration within the first two weeks and map your reading plan backward from the April exam dates. Early action remains the simplest advantage in Nigeria’s competitive admission process.