The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has warned candidates intending to register for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry to verify that their National Identification Number (NIN) details are accurate before creating their registration profiles.
In its weekly bulletin obtained from the Board’s website on Monday, JAMB emphasized that incorrect NIN information could lead to avoidable complications during registration and examination.
“Candidates are strongly advised to first verify that their National Identification Number details are accurate and correctly captured before initiating profile creation.
“Incorrect NIN information could result in avoidable challenges during registration and the examination process,” JAMB advised.
JAMB stated that registration for the 2026 UTME and DE can begin at any moment, and candidates are advised to take advantage of the opportunity to ensure their personal information is correct and consistent across all relevant databases.
The board also cautioned that options to update personal data are limited due to challenges commonly connected with correction periods.
“Candidates are therefore advised to take personal responsibility for the accuracy of their details from the start, as not all requests for corrections may be accommodated,” JAMB urged.
JAMB also assured Nigerians that the cost of application forms 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.
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.
