The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has firmly notified 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates that the registration period will close definitively on February 26, 2026, with no possibility of extension. The board urged all intending candidates to complete their registrations immediately, citing a persistent pattern of last-minute delays that disrupts the examination process.
According to JAMB’s weekly bulletin released on Monday, the 2026 UTME registration exercise, which commenced on January 26, was originally scheduled for five weeks and will proceed as planned. The board expressed concern over the low turnout observed at several accredited registration centres at this early stage, warning that the recurring trend of procrastination followed by demands for deadline extensions will not be tolerated this cycle.
JAMB explicitly stated that it is aware of deliberate tactics employed by some individuals, including those masquerading as tutorial centre owners, who mislead candidates into delaying registration. The board alleged this strategy aims to force an extension, facilitating the mass movement of candidates to centres in ways that could enable examination malpractice. “This recurring pattern, where candidates deliberately delay registration until the final days and subsequently begin to agitate for an extension, will not be entertained in 2026,” the bulletin read.
So far, approximately one million candidates have shown interest by obtaining their ePINs. However, JAMB stressed that extending the timeline is operationally impracticable because its calendar is synchronised with those of other national examination bodies. Any further delay would compromise the entire national academic schedule.
The board advised candidates to register early to avoid the inevitable last-minute rush and to disregard any rumours or suggestions about a deadline extension. It emphasised that it would not be held responsible for candidates who fail to act within the stipulated window. This decisive stance underscores JAMB’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and scheduling reliability of the UTME, a critical gateway for tertiary education admissions across Nigeria. Candidates are therefore required to treat the February 26 deadline as absolute and plan accordingly.
