By DAYO ADESULU
2026 UTME Registration Deadline Draws the Line
The 2026 UTME registration deadline has been firmly fixed, and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says there will be no extension under any circumstance.
In a public notice issued by the Board, JAMB announced that the sale of e-PINs for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will officially close at midnight on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Consequently, candidates who fail to secure their e-PIN before that deadline will lose the opportunity to register for this year’s examination.
While e-PIN vending ends on February 26, candidates who already purchase their e-PINs will still have until Saturday, February 28, 2026, to complete their biometric registration at accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide.
However, JAMB has made one thing clear: the 2026 UTME registration deadline will not be shifted.
Over 1.5 Million Candidates Registered — But Centres Underutilised
As of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, JAMB confirmed that more than 1.5 million candidates have successfully registered for the examination. That figure reflects significant progress. Yet, the Board expressed concern that registration centres across the country are operating far below capacity.
According to JAMB, its daily registration capacity stands at 100,000 candidates. Surprisingly, centres are currently functioning at barely 30 percent of that capacity. This gap suggests that thousands of eligible candidates are yet to begin their registration process.
Although many candidates traditionally wait until the final days, the Board warned that last-minute rush often leads to avoidable technical and logistical challenges. Therefore, JAMB urged prospective candidates to act promptly instead of relying on a possible extension.
Why the 2026 UTME Registration Deadline Cannot Be Extended
JAMB explained that it operates within a nationally coordinated examination calendar agreed upon by major examination bodies in Nigeria. The registration window for the UTME is strategically positioned to allow other examination agencies to conduct their own exercises immediately afterward.
Because of this tight scheduling framework, JAMB stated that there is no available window to extend the 2026 UTME registration deadline. Even if the Board were inclined to consider such a move, the broader academic calendar would not permit it.
This coordination ensures smooth transitions between examinations and helps maintain order within Nigeria’s tertiary admission system. Any disruption, officials noted, could affect multiple institutions and examination bodies.
Candidates Urged to Secure e-PIN Before February 26
With the clock ticking, JAMB has strongly advised all prospective candidates to obtain their e-PINs before the vending deadline on February 26. After purchasing the e-PIN, candidates must immediately proceed to accredited CBT centres to complete their registration.
The Board emphasised that it will not entertain appeals for extension once the deadline passes. In previous years, late pleas flooded JAMB offices after registration windows closed. This time, officials insist there will be no reconsideration.
Importantly, the proactive warning aims to ensure that no serious candidate misses the opportunity to sit for the 2026 UTME due to delay or complacency. By announcing the finality of the 2026 UTME registration deadline early enough, JAMB hopes to eliminate confusion and speculation.
A Critical Step in Nigeria’s Admission Process
The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination remains the primary gateway into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Every year, millions of candidates compete for limited admission spaces. Therefore, missing the registration deadline effectively shuts a candidate out of the admission cycle for an entire academic year.
Given the scale of participation already recorded, JAMB’s data shows that many candidates have taken early action. Nonetheless, the Board stressed that a significant number are yet to respond, despite available capacity at centres nationwide.
Moreover, JAMB reassured the public that it structured the timeline to provide adequate opportunity for registration. Consequently, candidates still have time — but not much.
Final Call: Act Now
As February 26 approaches, the message from JAMB is straightforward: the 2026 UTME registration deadline is final.
Prospective candidates must secure their e-PIN before midnight on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Those who do so will still have until Saturday, February 28 to complete their registration at accredited centres.
After that, the window closes — without exception.
For thousands of students aspiring to enter tertiary institutions in Nigeria, the coming days will determine whether they participate in the 2026 admission process or wait another year.
The Board has sounded the alarm. The responsibility now rests with the candidates.
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