In a firm notice released on Tuesday, the examination body made it clear that the sale of electronic Personal Identification Numbers (e-PINs) — a compulsory requirement for UTME registration — will end at 12:00 midnight on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Candidates who have already secured their e-PINs will, however, have until Saturday, February 28, 2026, to complete their registration at accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide.
According to the Board, more than 1.5 million candidates had successfully registered for the examination as of February 17. Despite the significant turnout, JAMB expressed concern that many eligible candidates have yet to begin the process, noting that registration centres are currently operating at just 30 per cent of their daily capacity.
The Board revealed that its infrastructure can accommodate up to 100,000 registrations per day — a capacity that far exceeds the present volume of candidates at CBT centres across the country.
Emphasising the finality of its position, JAMB stressed that the UTME registration timeline forms part of a harmonised national examination calendar agreed upon by relevant assessment bodies. As a result, the schedule was deliberately structured to allow for a smooth transition to other public examinations slated for later in the year.
“There is no available window for any extension, even if the Board were inclined to consider one,” the statement noted.
The examination body further cautioned candidates against last-minute registration, warning that delays could expose them to avoidable technical or logistical challenges. It added that appeals for late registration would not be entertained once the deadline expires.
Describing the announcement as a proactive measure, JAMB said the early notice is intended to ensure that serious candidates are not excluded from the examination due to procrastination.
With only days remaining before the e-PIN sales deadline, the Board urged prospective candidates to act promptly by obtaining their e-PINs and proceeding to accredited CBT centres to finalise their registration.
The 2026 UTME is projected to draw millions of applicants seeking admission into tertiary institutions across Nigeria, underscoring the importance of strict compliance with the registration timetable.