JAMB Denies Fee Increase Rumours, Warns Centres Against Overcharging Candidates

Reports circulating that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has increased registration fees for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination are false and misleading, according to a statement issued on Friday by JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin.

The board provided a detailed fee breakdown showing Application Fee at ₦3,500; Reading Text at ₦1,000; CBT Centre Registration Service Charge at ₦700; CBT Centre UTME Service Charge at ₦1,500; Bank Charges at ₦500; and CBT Mock UTME Centre Charge at ₦1,500.

JAMB clarified that approved fees remain N7,200 for UTME only without mock, N8,700 for UTME with mock, and N5,700 for Direct Entry, maintaining the same structure since 2019 despite rising operational costs.

"The attention of the Board has been drawn to a publication insinuating that the Board has increased its registration fees. The Board wishes to state categorically that this claim is false, misleading and entirely unfounded," the statement read.

Benjamin explained that the fee structure has remained unchanged from 2018, when the Federal Executive Council approved a reduction in the UTME application fee from N5,000 to N3,500, effective from the 2019 registration exercise.

As of 17th February, over 1.5 million candidates had registered nationwide, with ePIN sales ending on Thursday and registration at accredited centres closing on Saturday, 28th February, for candidates who already purchased their ePINs.

The board warned that any Computer Based Test centre found overcharging or engaging in sharp practices would face sanctions, urging candidates who have paid above the approved rates to report such centres with credible evidence.

“Such reports will enable the Board to investigate and take immediate disciplinary action against any erring centre found to be overcharging or engaging in sharp practices," JAMB stated.

The board urged parents and candidates to disregard misleading publications and rely only on official information released through verified JAMB platforms and advertisements, advising them to carefully read official advertisements to avoid being misled or exploited by dishonest individuals or centres.