No Deadline Extension For 2026 UTME, JAMB Confirms

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed that there will be no extension of the registration deadline for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), urging candidates to complete their enrolment before February 26, 2026, to avoid missing the examination.

In a notice released on Tuesday, the examination body stated that the sale of e-PINs, which are required for registration, will close at midnight on Thursday, February 26. Registration at accredited Computer-Based Test centres for candidates who have already purchased their e-PINs will end two days later, on Saturday, February 28.

According to JAMB, over 1.5 million candidates had successfully registered nationwide as of February 17. However, the board expressed concern that many eligible candidates had not yet taken advantage of the exercise, noting that registration centres were operating at only about 30 percent of daily capacity. JAMB highlighted its capacity to register up to 100,000 candidates daily, significantly higher than the current turnout at centres.

“The Board wishes to clearly state that there will be no extension of the registration deadline,” the statement emphasised. JAMB explained that the registration timetable forms part of a nationally coordinated calendar agreed upon by all examination agencies in Nigeria and was structured to allow for a smooth transition to subsequent public examinations.

The board warned that candidates who delay registration until the final days may encounter avoidable challenges, stressing that appeals will not be entertained once the deadline expires. It described the early warning as a proactive measure to ensure no serious candidate is excluded due to procrastination.

Prospective candidates were urged to obtain their e-PINs promptly and complete registration at accredited centres. The 2026 UTME is expected to attract millions of applicants seeking admission into tertiary institutions across Nigeria, making adherence to the registration timeline crucial.