Over 1.5m candidates register for UTME as JAMB rules out extension
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said pin vending for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will close on Saturday, 28th February 2026. The Board said this
- …Board insists registration ends Feb 28
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said pin vending for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will close on Saturday, 28th February 2026.
The Board said this in a statement signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The statement said that as of Tuesday, 17th February, the Board has successfully registered over 1.5 million candidates for the examination.
This year’s UTME is scheduled to hold from April 16 to 25.
The statement reads, “The sale of e-PINs, which enables a candidate to proceed to the Centre for registration, will end at 12:00 midnight on Thursday, 26th February 2026, while actual registration at accredited centres for those who already procure the ePIN will cease on Saturday, 28th February 2026.
“As of Tuesday, 17th February 2026, the Board has successfully registered over 1.5 million candidates. The Board has a daily registration capacity of 100,000 candidates, yet registration centres across the country are currently operating at barely 30% of that capacity. This indicates that a significant number of prospective candidates have yet to take advantage of the opportunity to register.
Read Also: Southeast Renewed Hope Agenda purchases JAMB forms for 10,000 Ebonyi students
“The Board wishes to clearly state that there will be no extension of the registration deadline. JAMB operates within a nationally coordinated examination calendar agreed upon by all examination bodies in Nigeria.
“The Board’s registration window is strategically scheduled to allow other examination bodies to conduct their own exercises immediately afterward. Consequently, there is no available window for any extension, even if the Board were inclined to consider one.
“Candidates are therefore strongly advised to obtain their e-PINs before the vending deadline and proceed immediately to accredited centres to complete their registration. Waiting until the last few days may result in avoidable challenges, and the Board will not entertain any appeals for extension after the deadline.
“The Board is taking this proactive step to ensure that no candidate who genuinely desires to sit for the 2026 UTME is shut out due to delay or complacency.”
