JAMB Officially Releases Updated 2026 UTME and Direct Entry Calendar

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the revised schedule for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) registration and examination. 

The board confirmed that the main UTME will take place between April 16 and April 25, 2026, with registration for the exercise officially closing on February 28, 2026. JAMB has explicitly warned that there will be no extension for the registration deadline under any circumstances. 

NIN Requirement: A valid National Identification Number (NIN) is mandatory for profile creation; candidates must verify their details with NIMC before starting registration.

Student Status Declaration: For the first time, all candidates must declare their current studentship status to curb impersonation, as records show high malpractice rates among already admitted students.

Age Limit: Candidates must be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, though a waiver process exists for exceptional underage scorers.

Accredited Centres: Registration must only be performed at JAMB-approved CBT Centres or JAMB state and zonal offices.