The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reminded prospective candidates that registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will close on February 26, stressing that the deadline will not be extended under any circumstances.
The warning was contained in the board’s weekly bulletin released on Monday, where it urged candidates intending to sit for the examination to complete their registration without delay.
JAMB expressed concern over the low turnout of candidates at several accredited registration centres, noting that the trend at this stage of the exercise was worrisome. The board decried the recurring pattern of candidates waiting until the final days of registration before rushing to register and subsequently agitating for an extension.
“This recurring pattern, where candidates deliberately delay registration until the final days and subsequently begin to agitate for an extension, will not be entertained in 2026,” the board stated.
JAMB also raised alarm over what it described as deliberate tactics by examination cheats and individuals posing as tutorial centre operators who allegedly mislead candidates into postponing registration.
“JAMB is fully aware of the deliberate tactics of examination cheats and individuals masquerading as tutorial centre owners, who misleadingly advise candidates to delay registration until the last minute. This strategy is often aimed at forcing an extension of the registration period, thereby enabling the mass movement of candidates to centres in groups, which facilitates examination malpractice,” the board said.
The examination body explained that registration for the 2026 UTME began on January 26 and is scheduled to run for five weeks, emphasizing that the timeline remains unchanged.
According to JAMB, about one million candidates have so far indicated interest in the examination, with many already procuring their ePINs and expected to complete their registration promptly.
The board added that extending the registration period would be impracticable, as its operational calendar is carefully aligned with those of other examination bodies to ensure smooth coordination of national examinations.
JAMB therefore advised candidates to register early, avoid the last-minute rush, and disregard any claims suggesting that the deadline would be extended. It emphasized that it would not be held responsible for candidates who fail to register within the stipulated timeframe.