The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a firm warning to prospective candidates, declaring that registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will close on Thursday, February 26, 2026, with no possibility of an extension.
The examination body urged candidates who are yet to complete their registration to do so immediately, stressing that the deadline is final and non-negotiable.
JAMB Raises Alarm Over Low Turnout
In its weekly bulletin released on Monday, JAMB expressed concern over the low turnout at many accredited registration centres nationwide, despite the registration process being well underway.
The Board warned that the long-standing habit of waiting until the last few days before registering — and then calling for an extension — will not be tolerated in 2026.
“This recurring pattern, where candidates deliberately wait until the last minute and subsequently agitate for an extension, will not be entertained,” JAMB stated.
Exam Cheats Accused of Misleading Candidates
JAMB also accused examination cheats and individuals posing as tutorial centre operators of deliberately misleading candidates into postponing their registration.
According to the Board, such advice is often aimed at forcing an extension of the registration window, which then allows candidates to converge en masse at centres — a situation that encourages examination malpractice.
“JAMB is fully aware of these deliberate tactics and has factored them into its planning. There will be no extension of the registration period,” the statement added.
2026 UTME Timeline Remains Unchanged
The Board recalled that 2026 UTME registration commenced on Monday, January 26, 2026, and was clearly scheduled to last five weeks, a timeline it said remains unchanged.
JAMB disclosed that about one million candidates have already indicated interest in the examination, while many others have purchased their ePINs and are expected to complete registration promptly.
Why Extension Is Impossible — JAMB Explains
According to JAMB, extending the registration period would be impracticable because its operational calendar is closely coordinated with other national examination bodies.
“Any extension would disrupt this coordinated schedule and encroach on timelines already allocated to other national examinations,” the Board explained.
Candidates Advised to Act Fast
JAMB therefore advised candidates to:
- Complete registration early
- Avoid last-minute rushes
- Ignore rumours suggesting the deadline will be extended
The Board stressed that the notice is aimed at protecting genuine and law-abiding candidates from being misled or disadvantaged.
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