If you’re planning to sit for JAMB 2026, this post is the only guide you truly need. It'll save you a lot of headaches.
Every year, thousands of candidates miss deadlines, make avoidable mistakes, or fall into the hands of fake agents, not because they’re careless, but because they didn’t understand how JAMB registration really works.
This pillar guide breaks everything down clearly:
- What JAMB 2026 registration is about
- Who is eligible
- Requirements you must have
- How to register step by step
- Fees, deadlines, and common mistakes
No confusing jargon. Just real explanations, like someone who’s done this before is talking to you.
What Is JAMB 2026 Registration All About?
JAMB 2026 registration is the official process that allows candidates to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) or Direct Entry (DE) into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Once you register successfully:
- You become eligible to write UTME
- Your details enter JAMB’s central admission system (CAPS)
- You can later apply for Post-UTME and gain admission
Without registration, nothing else matters, not your WAEC result, not your dream course, and not even your preferred school.
Who Is Eligible for JAMB 2026?
Before rushing to a CBT centre, confirm that you’re eligible.
You can register for JAMB 2026 if:
- You’re seeking admission into a university, polytechnic, or college of education
- You’ll be at least 16 years old by the time of admission
- You have O’Level results or you’re awaiting results
- You have a valid NIN
Whether you’re a fresh secondary school leaver or someone rewriting JAMB, the eligibility rules apply equally.
JAMB 2026 Registration Requirements (Very Important)
This section alone saves people from frustration. So, it is important that you pay attention to this particular section.
Mandatory Requirements
You must have the following before registration:
- National Identification Number (NIN)
- No NIN = No JAMB. Simple.
- Active phone number (linked to your NIN)
- Email address
- O’Level results (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB)
- Profile code (generated via SMS)
Optional but Useful
- Previous JAMB registration number (for returning candidates)
- List of preferred institutions and courses
How to Generate Your JAMB Profile Code for 2026 JAMB e-PIN Purchase
This jamb profile code is very important. This is what you will need in order to purchase your jamb e-PIN.
Follow these steps to get your JAMB profile code:
- Send your NIN via SMS to 55019 or 66019
- Use this SMS format: NIN 12345678901
- You’ll receive a 10-digit profile code
Kindly keep this code safe. You’ll need it to purchase your JAMB e-PIN.
How to Register for JAMB 2026 (Step-by-Step)
Let’s walk through the correct process, from start to finish.
Step 1: Get Your Profile Code
As explained above.
Step 2: Purchase JAMB e-PIN
You can buy it through:
- Banks
- Mobile banking apps
- USSD
- Approved online platforms
Step 3: Visit an Accredited CBT Centre
Please take note that this step cannot be done online. All you need to do is to visit any accredited CBT center near you for the registration.
At the CBT centre:
- Your biometrics will be captured
- Passport photograph taken
- Course and institution selected
- O’Level results uploaded
Step 4: Print Your Registration Slip
Do not leave without it. That slip is proof you’re registered.
JAMB 2026 Registration Fee (Quick Summary)
Although this pillar post focuses on the process, fees still matter. So let me briefly talk about the JAMB official registration fee.
Without mock exam: ₦7,200 – ₦7,700
With mock exam: ₦8,200 – ₦8,700
Read also: How Much Is JAMB Registration for 2026 in Nigeria?
JAMB 2026 Registration Dates
JAMB has officially released the dates for 2026 registration.
- UTME registration starts: January 31 - March 5, 2026
- Direct Entry (DE) Registration starts: March 10 - April 7, 2026
- Mock exam: April 2026
- Main UTME: Late April – Early May 2026
Pro tip: Don’t wait for the last week. That’s when systems fail and mistakes happen.
Choosing the Right Course and Institution During Registration
This is where many candidates shoot themselves in the foot.
Before registration:
- Research your course requirements
- Check subject combinations
- Know the school’s cut-off trend
Choosing wrongly during registration can cost you a whole year, even if you score high and this can be very painful.
Internal link idea: JAMB Subject Combination for All Courses (2026)
Common Mistakes to Avoid During JAMB 2026 Registration
Let’s be honest, mistakes happen. But these mistakes are avoidable.
In order to save yourself the frustration, you need to be aware of the the following mistakes:
- Using someone else’s NIN
- Registering at unaccredited CBT centres
- Rushing course selection
- Ignoring subject combinations
- Losing registration slip
- Paying agents blindly
One mistake can block admission later. Slow down and double-check everything.
Can You Correct Mistakes After JAMB Registration?
Yes, but not everything is editable.
You may later correct:
- Name (with documentation)
- Date of birth
- Gender
- State/LGA
- Course or institution (during change of course)
Corrections usually attract additional fees, so it’s better to get things right the first time.
What Happens After JAMB 2026 Registration?
After registration:
- Prepare seriously for UTME
- Sit for the exam
- Check your result
- Monitor admission on JAMB CAPS
- Apply for Post-UTME
JAMB registration is just the beginning, not the finish line.
Final Thoughts
JAMB 2026 registration is not something to “manage” or rush through.
It determines:
- Whether you’ll write UTME
- Whether you’ll be considered for admission
- Whether your details will align across all systems
Take your time. Ask questions. Use only official channels.
If this guide helped you, bookmark it, share it with other candidates, and drop your questions in the comments.
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