The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a firm 17 day warning to prospective candidates, announcing that registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will conclude on Thursday, 26th February 2026, with no possibility of extension.
In a weekly bulletin released on Monday, the examination body emphasised that the registration deadline would not be shifted "under any circumstances," urging candidates to complete their registration immediately.
JAMB expressed concern regarding the notably low attendance at numerous accredited registration centres across the country, despite the exercise being well underway. The Board indicated it would not accommodate the recurring trend of candidates postponing registration until the eleventh hour before demanding deadline extensions.
"This recurring pattern, where candidates deliberately wait until the last minute and subsequently agitate for an extension, will not be entertained," the Board stated categorically.
The examination authority also raised alarm over activities of examination fraudsters and individuals masquerading as tutorial centre operators, who allegedly mislead candidates into delaying registration. JAMB explained that such advice aims to compel an extension of the registration window, enabling candidates to converge at centres en masse a scenario that facilitates examination malpractice.
"JAMB is fully aware of these deliberate tactics and has factored them into its planning. There will be no extension of the registration period," the Board declared, noting that the announcement serves to protect genuine and law abiding candidates from misinformation.
The Board recalled that registration for the 2026 UTME commenced on Monday, 26th January 2026, with a clearly defined five week duration that remains unchanged.
According to JAMB, approximately one million candidates have already expressed interest in the examination, whilst many others have purchased their ePINs and are expected to finalise their registration promptly.
The examination body further clarified that extending the registration timeline would prove impracticable, as its operational calendar is synchronised with those of other examination bodies in Nigeria.
"Any extension would disrupt this coordinated schedule and encroach on timelines already allocated to other national examinations," JAMB noted.
The Board has consequently advised all prospective candidates to register early, avoid last minute congestion, and disregard any claims suggesting the registration deadline would be extended.
