JAMB Rules Out Extension for 2026 UTME Registration

JAMB insists no extension for 2026 UTME registration.
Over 1.5 million candidates have registered nationwide.
Board warns late applicants risk missing examination.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has ruled out any extension of the registration deadline for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, urging candidates to complete their enrolment before February 26 or forfeit the opportunity to sit the examination.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a notice issued on Tuesday, the board announced that the sale of e PINs, a mandatory requirement for registration, will close at midnight on Thursday, February 26, 2026. It added that registration at accredited Computer Based Test centres for candidates who have already purchased their e PINs will end on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

As of February 17, the examination body disclosed that more than 1.5 million candidates had successfully registered nationwide. Despite the figure, the board expressed concern that many eligible applicants were yet to take advantage of the exercise, noting that centres across the country were operating at barely 30 per cent of their daily capacity.

JAMB stated that it has the capacity to register about 100,000 candidates daily, significantly higher than the current turnout.

“The Board wishes to clearly state that there will be no extension of the registration deadline,” the statement emphasised.

The board explained that its timetable forms part of a nationally coordinated calendar agreed upon by all examination agencies. It said the UTME registration window was structured to ensure a seamless transition to other public examinations scheduled to follow.

“Consequently, there is no available window for any extension, even if the Board were inclined to consider one,” it said.