The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has assured Nigerians that the cost of application documents for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry is unlikely to increase.
The Board told “parents, guardians, and prospective candidates” that it had not hiked prices for either the UTME or the DE “in the last nine years.”
Indeed, registration fees have been “reduced for prospective candidates within the nine years of the existence of the current administration,” according to the report.
JAMB clarified in its Weekly Bulletin, which was received on Monday, that any future increases would only be necessary to maintain the integrity and quality of the test process.
The Board explained that this policy is consistent with President Bola Tinubu’s order, as delivered through the Minister of Education, that its actions must reflect the administration’s human-face policies while also taking into account the economic realities that Nigerian families face.
“This clarification is provided to properly guide members of the public who wish to plan ahead for the education of their children, as the cost implication for the 2026 exercise remains largely the same as that of the previous year,” the Board stated.
JAMB asked parents and guardians to make early plans and ensure their children’s timely registration, emphasizing that once the registration period begins, it will not be extended.
“Despite this downward review of fees, the Board has continued to operate efficiently and prudently, resulting in substantial remittances to the Federal Government over the years.
“This underscores JAMB’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and effective public-sector financial management.
“JAMB remains committed to fairness, transparency, and affordability while sustaining global best practices in the conduct of its examinations,” it stated.
The JAMB 2026 UTME form will be on sale from Friday, January 31st, 2026, until Saturday, March 8th, 2026.
