UTME 2026: JAMB SETS FIRM 17-DAY DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION

By: Abdul-Qoyyum Adeshola, Badmus.

Date: Monday, 9th February, 2026 (21st Sha'ban, 1447 AH).

THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will end in 17 days, on Thursday, 26 February 2026, with no provision for an extension.

The Board urged intending candidates to complete their registration promptly, emphasising that the closing date would not be altered under any circumstance.

In its weekly bulletin issued on Monday, JAMB expressed worry over the poor turnout at several accredited registration centres across the country, despite the process having commenced weeks ago.

It cautioned that the long-standing habit of candidates delaying registration until the final days and later calling for an extension would not be accommodated in 2026.

“This repeated trend, where candidates intentionally wait until the deadline and then agitate for an extension, will not be entertained,” the Board stated.

JAMB further alleged that examination fraudsters and some individuals disguising themselves as tutorial centre operators are deliberately misleading candidates to delay registration.

According to the Board, such misinformation is aimed at forcing an extension of the registration period, thereby enabling mass movement of candidates to selected centres, a situation that encourages examination malpractice.

“JAMB is fully aware of these calculated strategies and has made adequate plans. There will be no extension of the registration exercise,” it said, adding that the advisory was meant to safeguard sincere and law-abiding candidates from being deceived.

The Board recalled that registration for the 2026 UTME began on Monday, 26 January 2026, and was officially scheduled to run for five weeks, a timetable it said remains intact.

JAMB disclosed that nearly one million candidates have already shown interest in the examination, while many others have obtained their ePINs and are expected to finalise their registration without delay.

It also noted that extending the registration period would be impractical, as its operational schedule is tightly coordinated with those of other examination bodies nationwide.

“Any extension would disrupt this synchronised calendar and interfere with timelines already assigned to other national examinations,” the Board explained.

JAMB therefore advised candidates to register early, shun last-minute rushes, and disregard any claims suggesting that the registration deadline would be extended.