Jane salihu
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reassured Nigerians that there is no plan to increase the cost of application forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE).
The Board gave the assurance in its Weekly Bulletin released on Monday in Abuja, as it announced that preparations have been concluded to commence the 2026 UTME and DE registration soon.
According to JAMB, the cost of UTME and DE application documents has not been increased in the last nine years. Instead, the Board noted that registration fees were reduced under the current administration, in line with government policies aimed at easing the financial burden on Nigerian families.
JAMB explained that while there is no intention to review the fees upward for the 2026 exercise, any future adjustment would only be considered if it becomes absolutely necessary to safeguard the integrity and quality of the examination process.
The Board said its position aligns with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, conveyed through the Minister of Education, that government agencies should operate with a human-centered approach, taking into account prevailing economic realities.
JAMB also disclosed that it will deploy 1,039 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide for the 2026 UTME.
Parents and guardians were advised to make early arrangements for their wards, as the Board stressed that there will be no extension of the registration period once it begins.
Despite maintaining affordable fees, JAMB said it has continued to record efficient operations and substantial remittances to the Federal Government, reflecting its commitment to transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, prospective candidates were urged to create their JAMB profiles ahead of registration and to ensure that their National Identification Number (NIN) details are accurate before doing so, to avoid complications during the registration and examination process.
JAMB emphasized that opportunities for correction of candidates’ data are becoming limited, advising candidates to take responsibility for the accuracy of their information from the outset to ensure a smooth and hitch-free 2026 UTME/DE exercise.
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