The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that 26th February 2026 is the final deadline for registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This deadline was disclosed in a statement by JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the sale of e-PINs—electronic codes required to initiate registration—will end at 12:00 midnight on Thursday, 26th February 2026. For candidates who have already obtained their e-PINs, registration at accredited centers will continue until Saturday, 28th February 2026. This phased approach aims to manage the registration process efficiently and reduce last-minute congestion.
As of Tuesday, over 1.5 million candidates have registered for the 2026 UTME. Dr. Benjamin noted that while this figure is significant, it indicates many eligible candidates have yet to complete registration. He strongly advised all prospective examinees to purchase their e-PINs before the vending deadline and promptly visit accredited centers to finalize their registration. The statement warned that delays could lead to avoidable challenges, and JAMB will not consider any requests for extension after the deadlines.
The UTME is Nigeria’s standardized entrance examination for tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Registration typically involves acquiring an e-PIN online and then verifying personal and biometric details at an authorized center. JAMB sets these deadlines to ensure smooth exam administration, from logistics to security protocols.
With the e-PIN sale closing on 26th February, candidates are urged to act swiftly. Past cycles have seen technical issues, long queues, and center bottlenecks during peak periods, making early registration prudent. JAMB’s strict adherence to timelines reflects its commitment to a transparent and orderly examination process for millions of Nigerian students.
For international readers, JAMB is the agency responsible for coordinating admissions to Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, and the UTME is a critical gateway for high school graduates seeking undergraduate placements. The 2026 registration period, with 1.5 million already enrolled, underscores the exam’s national significance and the competitive nature of higher education access.
This announcement serves as a definitive call to action for candidates. Meeting the registration deadlines is essential to participate in the 2026 UTME, which directly influences academic opportunities for the upcoming academic year.
