UTME 2026: JAMB Kicks Off Registration January 26

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will officially commence on January 26, 2026, across accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres Nationwide.

According to Global Mirror News gathered, the JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this while briefing stakeholders in the education sector. He explained that the registration exercise will run until February 28, 2026, giving prospective candidates ample time to complete the process.

The registrar further stated that the sale of UTME ePINs will begin earlier, from January 19 to February 26, 2026, ahead of the main registration window. Candidates interested in participating in the optional mock examination are expected to indicate their choice during registration within the stipulated period.

In addition, JAMB outlined the timeline for Direct Entry (DE) candidates, noting that the sale of DE application documents and ePINs will take place from March 2 to April 25, 2026.

Professor Oloyede reaffirmed the board’s commitment to transparency and examination integrity, stressing that all approved CBT centres will be monitored live from JAMB’s headquarters. He warned that centres failing to meet monitoring and operational standards risk sanctions, including non-payment and possible cancellation of registrations conducted there.

Global Mirror News also reports that JAMB has provisionally approved over 900 CBT centres, which will undergo final accreditation tests before being fully cleared for the exercise.

Candidates were advised to adhere strictly to official guidelines, pay only approved fees, and ensure they complete their registration at authorised centres to avoid complications.