With just days remaining to the closing date for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed that more than 1.5 million candidates have signed up so far and emphatically stated that there will be no extension of the registration period. This announcement comes as anxiety grows among prospective university and tertiary institution applicants across the country.
As it stands, the deadline to purchase the mandatory e-PIN for UTME registration is set for Thursday, 26th February 2026 at midnight. Candidates who successfully buy their e-PINs must then complete their full registration at accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres by Saturday, 28th February 2026.
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Registration Numbers Climb, But Centres Still Underutilised
In a statement issued on Tuesday, JAMB revealed that as of 17th February 2026, over 1.5 million candidates had already registered for the 2026 UTME. While this is a significant figure, the board noted that most registration centres around the country are operating well below capacity, processing only about 30 per cent of their daily potential.
Officials explained that JAMB has the capacity to register up to 100,000 candidates daily, far more than what the current pace reflects. The implication is clear: there may be a large pool of eligible candidates who have yet to take full advantage of the registration window.
JAMB officials appealed directly to these candidates, especially those yet to register, urging them not to delay until the final hours before the deadline. According to the board, leaving registration to the last minute could lead to unnecessary complications and technical delays.
JAMB Stands Firm on No Extension Policy
One of the most critical points emphasised by JAMB in recent communications is that there will be absolutely no extension of the registration deadline under any circumstances. The board explained that its timelines for the UTME are part of a nationally coordinated examination calendar developed in collaboration with other examination bodies in Nigeria. Allowing a change would disrupt this schedule and have a ripple effect on subsequent national exams.
“We want to make it very clear that the board will not entertain any appeals for an extension after the closing date,” said the statement. This firm stance is meant to bring clarity and avoid the yearly rush of requests from candidates hoping for additional days to register.
In addition, the board said there is no available window in the examination calendar to accommodate any delay in the UTME registration process, making an extension impracticable even if it wanted to consider one.
What Candidates Must Do Now
With the clock ticking, JAMB has reiterated its advice to all prospective candidates:
- Purchase your e-PIN before midnight on 26th February 2026.
- Proceed immediately to an accredited CBT centre to complete your registration.
- Avoid waiting until the last moment, as surges in candidate turnout could lead to unforeseen delays or technical hitches.
The board’s appeal is particularly urgent for final-year secondary school students, gap-year candidates, and other applicants who are yet to begin or complete their UTME registration. Failure to register by the stated deadlines means a candidate will not be eligible to sit for the 2026 UTME and may have to wait a full year before the next exercise.
The UTME remains a central part of the academic journey for millions of young Nigerians seeking admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide. The large number of registrations so far underscores the continuing importance of this national examination.
As Nigerians prepare for one of the most consequential examinations in the academic calendar, the message from JAMB is clear, direct, and unyielding: act now or miss out. The coming days will be crucial for candidates yet to register, and time is clearly of the essence.
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