2026 UTME: JAMB unveils registration guidelines, sets January for sale of forms

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued detailed guidelines for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration, along with a list of common challenges candidates often encounter during the process.

The advisory, published on the board’s official X handle on Sunday, is part of JAMB’s renewed efforts to ensure a smooth and stress-free registration period for prospective applicants as preparations for the commencement of the exercise intensify.

JAMB advised candidates to ensure that all personal information, especially their National Identification Number (NIN), email address, and A-Level results, is correct before generating a profile code.

To obtain the profile code, candidates must send their 11-digit NIN to either 55019 or 66019 in the prescribed format (e.g., NIN 00000011111 to 55019/66019).

The board noted that once a profile code is issued, it cannot be altered, as biodata is pulled directly from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Candidates are expected to visit the nearest JAMB office or any accredited CBT centre to begin the full registration process.

E-PINs, it added, must only be purchased through approved channels such as banks, online vendors, or authorized agents stationed at registration centers.

Applicants were also reminded to ensure they fill the correct registration template and double-check every detail before the final submission.

JAMB stressed that inaccurate personal data or mismatched records could lead to avoidable complications.

The board advised candidates to:

Complete all necessary corrections with NIMC ahead of time and confirm that the updated details reflect on their NIMC portal before registering.

Use functional and unique GSM numbers and email addresses, which cannot be changed or shared once linked to a profile.

Report any biometric difficulties at a JAMB office, as no CBT centre is authorised to force biometric capture.

Ensure a dual-screen setup is used during registration and confirm that the passport photograph and fingerprints displayed are correct.

JAMB also outlined frequent difficulties encountered during profile code generation:

Error 55019/66019: Usually caused by a wrongly formatted request. Candidates must strictly follow the correct command (NIN 00000011111).

“Number Already Registered” Error: Indicates that the phone number is already linked to a previous profile. Affected candidates should retrieve the SIM or use a different line.

“Unable to Verify NIN”: Candidates are encouraged to wait for a while and try again.

According to JAMB, sales of the 2026 UTME forms will open on Friday, January 31, 2026, and close on Saturday, March 8, 2026.