The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has restated that registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will end on 26 February, warning candidates not to expect any extension.
In its weekly bulletin released on Monday, the board urged intending candidates to complete their registration without delay, stressing that the closing date is final.
JAMB expressed concern over the low number of candidates currently registering at several accredited centres, noting that many still appear to be waiting until the final days of the exercise.
The board said it would no longer tolerate the familiar pattern in which candidates postpone registration and later pressure the examination body to extend the deadline.
“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 said.
JAMB added that it was aware of practices aimed at manipulating the registration process for dishonest purposes.
“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,” it said.
According to the board, registration for the 2026 UTME began on 26 January and was scheduled to run for five weeks, a timeline it said would remain unchanged.
JAMB disclosed that about one million candidates have so far shown interest in the examination, with many already having purchased their ePINs and expected to complete the process promptly.
The board explained that extending the registration period would be impractical, as its examination timetable is synchronised with those of other examination bodies.
Candidates were therefore advised to register early, avoid last-minute congestion at centres and ignore any claims that the deadline would be shifted.
JAMB warned that it would not take responsibility for candidates who fail to register within the stipulated period.
