The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has issued a strong warning to candidates seeking to sit for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, declaring that the ongoing registration will close permanently on Thursday, February 26, 2026, with no possibility of extension.
JAMB urged prospective candidates to complete their registration immediately, stressing that the board would not shift the deadline for any reason. The warning was contained in its weekly bulletin released on Monday, where the examination body expressed concern over the low turnout at many accredited registration centres nationwide.
According to the board, the familiar trend of candidates delaying registration until the final days and later agitating for deadline extensions will not be tolerated in 2026. JAMB said it was fully aware of what it described as deliberate tactics employed by examination cheats and individuals posing as tutorial centre operators, who often advise candidates to wait until the last minute.
The board explained that such advice is usually aimed at forcing an extension of the registration window, which then allows candidates to move en masse to centres, creating opportunities for examination malpractice. JAMB stated that it had factored these practices into its planning and would not succumb to pressure.
The board emphasised that the 2026 UTME registration commenced on Monday, January 26, 2026, and was clearly scheduled to run for five weeks, a timeline it said remains unchanged. It disclosed that about one million candidates have already indicated interest in the examination, while many others have purchased their ePINs and are expected to conclude their registration without delay.
JAMB further noted that extending the registration period was not feasible, as its examination calendar is closely coordinated with those of other national examination bodies. Any adjustment, it said, would disrupt the broader examination timetable and interfere with schedules already allocated to sister agencies.
Candidates were therefore advised to register promptly, avoid last minute rushes, and disregard claims suggesting that the registration period would be extended.
Meanwhile, as the 2026 UTME registration enters its third week, JAMB has reminded candidates of the serious consequences of registration infractions and violations of the attestation signed during the process.
The Registrar of the board, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, warned that candidates found guilty of registration offences could be barred from sitting the UTME for up to three years. He added that the names of offenders may be published in national newspapers and shared with other public examination bodies.
Oloyede also disclosed that defaulters could be handed over to law enforcement and anti corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Nigerian Police, for prosecution.
On the issue of attestation, the registrar explained that candidates formally declare that all information and documents submitted during registration are accurate and authentic. Any false declaration, he said, would attract appropriate sanctions and could jeopardise a candidate’s chances of securing admission into tertiary institutions.
