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JAMB Confirms Nearly One Million Registrations for 2026 UTME, Rules Out Deadline Extension

Published on Feb 11, 2026 • Education

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that close to one million candidates have already registered for the ongoing 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The Board disclosed this update in its official bulletin. At the same time, it reminded candidates that sales of ePINs will end on 26 February 2026, while registration will officially close on 28 February 2026.

No Extension Under Any Circumstance

Importantly, JAMB has made its position clear: there will be no extension of the registration deadline.

According to the Board, some accredited centres are currently recording low turnout despite the large number of candidates who have shown interest. In previous years, many candidates waited until the final days to register and later demanded an extension. However, JAMB says it will not entertain such requests in 2026.

The registration process began on Monday, 26 January 2026, and the Board fixed the timeline for five weeks. Therefore, the closing dates remain unchanged.

Warning Against Deliberate Delay Tactics

Furthermore, JAMB raised concerns about individuals who allegedly mislead candidates into delaying registration. The Board stated that some examination cheats and persons posing as tutorial centre operators spread rumours about possible deadline extensions.

According to JAMB, such tactics aim to create last-minute pressure and increase opportunities for examination malpractice. For this reason, the Board strongly advises candidates to ignore any claims suggesting that the deadline will shift.

Why Extension Is Not Feasible

JAMB also explained that its examination calendar aligns closely with other national examination bodies. As a result, adjusting the registration timeline would disrupt broader academic schedules. Consequently, extending the registration period is not practical.

Advice to Candidates

In view of these developments, candidates should:

Purchase their ePIN before 26 February 2026

Complete registration before 28 February 2026

Avoid waiting until the final days

Disregard rumours about deadline extensions

Ultimately, JAMB has emphasized that it will not take responsibility for candidates who fail to register within the approved timeframe.

Prospective candidates are therefore encouraged to act promptly and complete all registration steps without delay.