The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board says there will be no increase in UTME and DE fees for 2026. Registration opens January 26 and closes February 28, with no extension expected.
Parents and candidates preparing for the 2026 admission exercise can expect no additional financial burden, as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has confirmed that registration fees for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry will not be increased.
The examination body made this known in its latest weekly bulletin, explaining that the pricing framework for the upcoming exercise will remain largely unchanged from that of the previous year.
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The clarification, according to JAMB, is meant to assist families in making early and informed educational plans.
Beyond cost considerations, the board revealed that the decision aligns with the Federal Government’s people-oriented approach, as directed by President Bola Tinubu through the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.
The policy, JAMB said, takes into account the prevailing economic pressures on Nigerian households.
JAMB further disclosed that registration charges for UTME and Direct Entry have remained stable for nearly a decade, noting that fees were even reviewed downward under the current administration. The board stressed that it has prioritised affordability without compromising operational efficiency.
According to the bulletin, any adjustment to examination fees in the future would only be considered if it becomes essential to preserve the credibility, security, and quality of the testing process.
Despite operating within reduced fee margins, JAMB stated that it has consistently managed its resources prudently, enabling it to remit substantial revenue to the Federal Government over the years.
Meanwhile, the board announced that sales of the 2026 UTME forms will begin on Monday, January 26, 2026, and close on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
It warned candidates that the registration window will not be extended.
In preparation for the exercise, candidates were urged to confirm the accuracy of their National Identification Number details before creating their profiles. JAMB cautioned that discrepancies in NIN information could lead to avoidable registration and examination challenges.
The board concluded by advising candidates to take full responsibility for the correctness of their personal data from the onset, noting that not all correction requests may be approved once the registration process is underway.