The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially set the dates for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), marking a key milestone for prospective university students across Nigeria.

The computer-based exams will run from April 16 to April 25, 2026, nationwide.

Registration for UTME candidates opens on January 26 and closes on February 28, while Direct Entry (DE) registration follows from March 2 to April 25.

A mock examination is scheduled for March 28 to help candidates familiarize themselves with the process.

To register, applicants must create a profile using a unique mobile number and National Identification Number (NIN).

Fees are N8,700 for UTME with the mock exam (or N7,700 without) and N5,700 for DE, covering the application, mandatory reading text "The Lekki Headmaster" by Kabir Alabi Garba, and other services.

Eligibility requires at least five O'Level credits, including English, for UTME, with additional higher qualifications for DE.

JAMB emphasized accommodations for candidates with disabilities and strict rules against prohibited items like mobile phones during exams.

All admissions will be processed via the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).

This announcement follows the accreditation of 848 CBT centers to ensure smooth operations, addressing past technical issues.

The board aims to maintain integrity and accessibility in the admission process for the upcoming academic year.