In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday, the Board made it clear that the sale of e-PINs — a compulsory requirement for registration — will end at 12:00 midnight on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Candidates who have already purchased their e-PINs will still be allowed to complete their registration at accredited CBT centres until Saturday, February 28, 2026.
As of February 17, more than 1.5 million candidates had successfully enrolled for the nationwide examination. While this figure reflects strong participation, JAMB revealed a surprising concern: registration centres across the country are currently operating at just 30 percent of their daily capacity.
The Board emphasized that it has the infrastructure to register up to 100,000 candidates per day, meaning thousands of eligible applicants are yet to take advantage of the ongoing exercise.
“There will be no extension of the registration deadline,” JAMB reiterated firmly.
According to the Board, the UTME timetable is part of a broader national examination calendar coordinated among all major examination bodies in Nigeria. The registration timeline was carefully structured to allow a smooth transition into other public examinations scheduled afterward. As a result, shifting the deadline is simply not an option.
JAMB also cautioned against last-minute registration, warning that delays could lead to avoidable technical or logistical issues. Once the deadline passes, appeals for reconsideration will not be entertained.
The early notice, the Board explained, is intended to ensure that serious candidates are not excluded due to procrastination.
With only days left before the e-PIN sales deadline, JAMB is urging all prospective candidates to act immediately — purchase their e-PINs and complete registration at accredited CBT centres without delay.
The 2026 UTME is projected to attract millions of applicants seeking admission into tertiary institutions across Nigeria, making strict adherence to the registration schedule absolutely essential for every aspiring student.
