The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will close in 17 days, on Thursday, February 26, 2026, with no extension.
The examination body warned prospective candidates to complete their registration promptly, stressing that the deadline would not be shifted “under any circumstances.”
In its weekly bulletin released on Monday, JAMB expressed concern over the low turnout at many accredited registration centres across the country, despite the exercise having commenced weeks ago.
The Board noted that the persistent habit of candidates delaying registration until the final days—only to later demand an extension—will not be tolerated this year.
“This recurring practice, where candidates deliberately wait until the last minute and subsequently agitate for an extension, will no longer be entertained,” JAMB stated.
JAMB also accused examination cheats and individuals posing as tutorial centre operators of deliberately misleading candidates to postpone their registration. According to the Board, such tactics are aimed at forcing an extension of the registration period, thereby enabling mass movement of candidates to specific centres—an arrangement that facilitates examination malpractice.
“JAMB is fully aware of these calculated tactics and has made adequate provisions to counter them. There will be no extension of the registration period,” the Board warned, adding that the notice was issued to protect genuine and law-abiding candidates from being deceived.
The Board recalled that the 2026 UTME registration commenced on Monday, January 26, 2026, and was scheduled to last five weeks—a timeline it said remains unchanged.
JAMB disclosed that about one million candidates have already indicated interest in the examination, while many others have purchased their ePINs and are expected to complete their registration in good time.
It further explained that extending the registration period would be impracticable, as its operational calendar is closely aligned with those of other national examination bodies.
“Any extension would disrupt this coordinated schedule and encroach on timelines already allocated to other examinations,” JAMB said.
The Board therefore urged candidates to register early, avoid last-minute rushes, and disregard any claims suggesting that the registration deadline would be extended.
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