No Mercy! JAMB Rules Out Extension For 2026 UTME Registration

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it will not extend the registration deadline for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), urging candidates to complete their registration on or before February 26 or risk forfeiting their chance to sit for the exam.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the board confirmed that the sale of e-PINs — a compulsory requirement for registration — will end at midnight on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

JAMB further explained that candidates who have already purchased their e-PINs will have until Saturday, February 28, 2026, to finalize their registration at accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.

As of February 17, the board reported that over 1.5 million candidates had successfully registered nationwide. However, it expressed concern that many eligible applicants were yet to register, noting that centres across the country were operating at less than 30 percent of their daily capacity.

The board stated that it can process up to 100,000 registrations per day — significantly higher than the current turnout.

Reiterating its position, JAMB stressed that there would be no extension of the registration period. It explained that its schedule aligns with a nationally coordinated examination calendar agreed upon by relevant agencies, leaving no room for adjustments.

According to the board, the UTME registration timeline was carefully planned to ensure a smooth transition to other public examinations slated to follow. As a result, even if it wished to reconsider, there is no available window for an extension.

JAMB warned candidates against waiting until the last minute, as delays could lead to avoidable complications. It also made clear that no appeals would be entertained once the deadline passes.

Describing the notice as an early alert, the board said it aims to prevent serious candidates from being excluded due to procrastination.

With only a few days remaining before the e-PIN sales deadline, prospective candidates have been advised to obtain their e-PINs promptly and complete their registration at accredited centres.

The 2026 UTME is expected to draw millions of applicants seeking admission into tertiary institutions nationwide, making timely registration essential for all aspirants.