As Nigeria’s Tertiary Admission season approaches, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set January 26, 2026, as the take-off date for registration into the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), triggering heightened activity across accredited CBT centres Nationwide.
CityScenes Magazine reports that the announcement signals the formal start of preparations for hundreds of thousands of Secondary School leavers seeking admission into Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education.
The registration exercise is expected to run until February 28, 2026, providing candidates with a little over a month to complete the process.
Ahead of the registration opening, JAMB disclosed that the sale of examination ePINs will begin earlier, from January 19, allowing candidates to get a head start before visiting CBT centres.
Aspirants opting for the mock UTME are required to indicate their interest during registration.
Beyond UTME candidates, the Board also outlined timelines for Direct Entry Applicants, with sales of DE forms scheduled between March 2 and April 25, 2026, widening access for Diploma, NCE, and Degrees holders seeking admission into Higher Institutions.
In a move aimed at strengthening credibility, JAMB said all accredited CBT centres will operate under real-time surveillance, with activities monitored directly from its headquarters.
Centres that fail to meet operational and technical standards may face sanctions, including invalidation of registrations conducted at such facilities.
CityScenes Magazine further gathered that over 900 CBT centres have been provisionally cleared and will undergo final checks before full deployment for the examination cycle.
Prospective candidates have been urged to follow official guidelines, patronise only approved centres, and pay stipulated fees to avoid falling victim to fraud or sharp practices during the registration period.
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