The Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) is preparing for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for 2026. Following the conclusion of the 2025 admission cycle, the board has initiated preparations for the upcoming year. A key aspect of their current awareness campaigns emphasizes the importance of ensuring that candidates' names, dates of birth, and their state and local government of origin precisely match the details recorded in the National Identification Number (NIN) database.
Although the official commencement date for UTME/DE 2026 registration has not yet been publicly announced, it is anticipated that the exercise will begin around mid-February, consistent with the timelines of previous years.
To assist prospective candidates in navigating the process, this article offers a detailed, step-by-step guide for both UTME and Direct Entry (DE) registrations.
Eligibility for UTME 2026
Eligibility for the UTME 2026 examination is restricted to candidates who will be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026. Individuals who will be younger than 16 years old by this date are only permitted to register for the trial mock examination. However, there is a provision for exceptionally gifted students under the age of 16. These candidates can apply and will be considered if they achieve a score of 80% in the UTME, SSCE, Post-UTME, and the exceptional candidates’ examination.
Generating Your Profile Code
To generate your profile code, send the acronym "NIN" followed by a space and your 11-digit National Identification Number to either 55019 or 66019 via SMS. This service incurs a charge of N50 airtime. For example, the format should be: NIN 00123456789. It is crucial to include a space between "NIN" and your 11-digit NIN. Upon successful submission, JAMB will send a 10-digit profile code to your phone number. It is vital that your NIN and your O-level/A-level results are consistent, as JAMB will automatically retrieve your bio-data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
Key Considerations for Generating a Profile Code:
- •The profile code is intrinsically linked to your registered phone number and NIN.
- •A phone number that has been previously used by another candidate cannot be reused for a new profile code generation.
- •The NIN does not need to be pre-linked to the phone number you are using at the time of sending the SMS to generate your JAMB profile code. Ensure you are using an active phone number that you can readily access.
- •For candidates who registered in 2025 but were unsuccessful in gaining admission, you can utilize your previous profile code. However, it is imperative that you still have access to the associated phone number and your profile login credentials. To retrieve and reactivate an existing profile code, send "RESEND" from the same phone number to either 55019 or 66019. This action will reactivate the code for a new registration. If you have lost the phone number, you will need to recover it.
- •To reset a lost or forgotten Profile Password, send "PASSWORD" followed by a space and your email address as a text message from the same mobile number to 55019 or 66019.
- •In cases where you encounter a "Record Not Found" query, send an email containing your NIN and Name to nimc-jamb2026@nimc.gov.ng. After sending the email, attempt the process again in 4 hours. If the issue persists, you are advised to visit the nearest NIMC office for validation.
Obtaining Your e-PIN
Once your profile code has been successfully generated, you can proceed to obtain your e-PIN. The e-PIN can be purchased from authorized sources, including commercial banks, JAMB-accredited registration centers, and verified online platforms and vendors. For the 2025 UTME/DE application cycle, candidates had the option to choose from four distinct application packages:
- •UTME with Mock Examination: N8,700
- •UTME without Mock Examination: N7,200
- •Direct Entry (DE) Registration: N5,700
- •Trial-Testing Mock Examination for underage candidates: N3,500
After completing the payment, your e-PIN will be dispatched to your registered phone number, which is linked to your NIN and profile code.
Steps to Purchase Your e-PIN Directly:
- Access any fintech application such as Kuda, PalmPay, or OPay.
- Navigate to the "JAMB" or "Education" section within the app.
- Select the appropriate JAMB service, which will be either "UTME ePIN" or "UTME ePIN with Mock."
- Input the 10-digit Profile Code you received and the phone number linked to it.
- Confirm the payment by using your app's security features, such as your PIN, fingerprint, or face ID.
- Your e-PIN will be delivered to the phone number you provided via SMS and/or email.
Registration at an Accredited CBT Centre
The subsequent step in the process involves presenting your Profile Code and e-PIN at any JAMB-accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre to complete your registration. Candidates who purchase their e-PIN directly from a JAMB-accredited CBT centre will seamlessly proceed to the registration stage. For those who acquired their e-PIN from banks or online platforms, it is necessary to locate the nearest JAMB-accredited CBT centre. The registration process itself at these centres is free of charge.
At the CBT centre, your photograph will be taken, and your biometrics, encompassing all ten fingerprints, will be captured. Following the successful completion of your registration, your Registration Slip will be printed. It is imperative that you meticulously verify the accuracy of all your details before confirming with your fingerprint. Ensure that the particulars associated with your NIN align precisely with the information presented on your other supporting documents.
Required Documents for Registration
For UTME Candidates:
- •Your preferred choices of institutions and programmes (courses of study).
- •A valid and functional personal email address that you can access regularly.
- •Details of your qualifications, including grades and the dates obtained, if you are not awaiting results.
- •Relevant certificates will need to be uploaded if you are not awaiting results.
- •A PIN may be uploaded to facilitate the automatic upload of your O-level and/or A-level grades.
- •Your chosen UTME subjects and selection of examination town(s) for both the optional Mock examination and the main UTME.
For Direct Entry (DE) Candidates:
- •The Registration/Matriculation Number from the previous institution attended where your qualification was obtained.
- •The course(s) you intend to study.
- •The name of the Awarding Institution.
- •Your year of graduation.
JAMB has made provisions for candidates with disabilities. Such individuals must indicate their disability at the point of registration. They will then be identified and assigned to the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) centres for specialized attention and support.