Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has opened registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with candidates across the country rushing to secure their slots before the deadline. The process, which began on January 26, will run until February 28, according to officials.
To register, applicants must first generate a profile code using their National Identification Number (NIN). The code is obtained by sending the 11‑digit NIN via SMS to 55019 or 66019. With the profile code, candidates can then purchase an e‑PIN from banks, mobile money operators, or online platforms. The e‑PIN costs ₦3,500, with an additional ₦700 service charge, while those opting for the mock exam pay an extra ₦1,000.
Registration is conducted exclusively at accredited Computer‑Based Test (CBT) centers nationwide. At the centers, candidates provide biometric data, upload O’Level results, and select their preferred institutions and courses. Each applicant receives a registration slip containing exam details.
Public response has been mixed. Many students welcomed the streamlined process, noting that the use of NIN helps curb fraud. Others expressed frustration over network glitches and long queues at CBT centers. Parents and guardians have voiced concerns about rising costs, especially for families with multiple candidates.
Education analysts say the registration highlights broader challenges in Nigeria’s education system, including limited access to technology and infrastructure gaps in rural areas. Still, JAMB insists the process is designed to ensure fairness and transparency.
The UTME itself is scheduled to hold between April 16 and April 25, with hundreds of thousands of candidates expected to sit for the exam. For many, success in the test remains the gateway to higher education and a chance to secure a future in an increasingly competitive job market.
