The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a strong and unmistakable warning to candidates intending to sit for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), announcing that registration will officially close on Thursday, February 26, 2026, with no possibility of extension under any circumstances.
The Board made this disclosure in its weekly bulletin released on Monday, urging candidates who have not yet completed their registration to do so immediately, as failure to register before the deadline would automatically disqualify them from participating in the 2026 UTME.
According to JAMB, the persistent culture of waiting until the last minute and subsequently demanding deadline extensions will not be entertained this year, as the Board’s operational calendar has already been finalized and aligned with other examination bodies in Nigeria.
JAMB Expresses Concern Over Low Turnout at Registration Centres
In the bulletin, JAMB expressed serious concern over the near absence of candidates at many accredited registration centres across the country, despite the registration exercise having progressed significantly.
The Board observed that several centres record:
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Very low daily registration numbers
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Long idle hours with no candidates
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Minimal engagement compared to previous years
JAMB described the situation as worrying, noting that many candidates appear to be relying on rumours of a possible extension, which the Board has categorically dismissed.
Registration Timeline for 2026 UTME Remains Fixed
JAMB reiterated that the registration timeline remains unchanged, emphasizing that:
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Registration began on January 26, 2026
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The exercise was scheduled to last five weeks
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The final closing date remains February 26, 2026
The Board stressed that the five-week window is more than sufficient for serious candidates to complete registration, adding that any extension would disrupt its tightly coordinated schedule.
Why JAMB Will Not Extend the Deadline
According to JAMB, extending the registration period would negatively affect:
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CBT centre scheduling and inspections
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Mock UTME planning
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Examination logistics
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Result processing timelines
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Coordination with WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB
The Board stated clearly that its calendar is already synchronized with other national examination bodies, making any adjustment impossible without widespread disruption.
Over One Million Candidates Have Shown Interest So Far
JAMB disclosed that approximately one million candidates have already indicated interest in the 2026 UTME.
This includes candidates who have:
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Created their JAMB profiles
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Generated or obtained their ePINs
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Initiated the registration process
However, JAMB warned that showing interest is not the same as completing registration, stressing that candidates who fail to finish the process before the deadline will still be locked out.
Warning Against Last-Minute Registration Culture
The Board strongly criticized the habit of delaying registration until the final days, describing it as a risky and irresponsible approach.
According to JAMB, last-minute registration often leads to:
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System congestion
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Overcrowded CBT centres
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Increased registration errors
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Panic-driven mistakes
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Missed opportunities
JAMB emphasized that candidates who wait until the final days and miss out will have no one to blame but themselves.
JAMB Cautions Against Misleading Advice from Tutorial Centres
In a particularly important warning, JAMB cautioned candidates against individuals, cyber cafés, and tutorial centre operators who allegedly encourage them to delay registration.
According to the Board, such advice is often given to:
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Create artificial congestion
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Pressure JAMB for deadline extensions
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Exploit desperate candidates financially
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Encourage unethical practices
JAMB made it clear that such tactics will not succeed in 2026, as the registration deadline is final.
The Consequences of Missing the Registration Deadline
Candidates who fail to register before February 26, 2026, will face serious consequences, including:
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Automatic disqualification from 2026 UTME
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Loss of one full academic year
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Inability to gain admission through UTME
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Emotional and psychological stress
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Financial loss for parents and guardians
JAMB emphasized that there will be no late registration, regardless of circumstances.
Why Early Registration Is the Smartest Decision
JAMB advised candidates to register early in order to:
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Avoid unnecessary pressure
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Reduce the risk of registration errors
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Have enough time to correct genuine mistakes
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Prepare adequately for the examination
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Participate in mock UTME
Early registration also allows candidates to focus fully on exam preparation rather than administrative stress.
2026 UTME Expected to Be Highly Competitive
Education analysts predict that the 2026 UTME will be one of the most competitive in recent years, due to:
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Increasing number of secondary school graduates
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Limited admission slots in universities
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Rising demand for professional courses
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Higher cut-off mark competition
Courses expected to attract intense competition include:
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Medicine and Surgery
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Nursing
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Pharmacy
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Engineering
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Law
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Computer Science
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Accounting
This means candidates must combine early registration with serious preparation.
Registration Alone Is Not Enough
JAMB reminded candidates that registering for UTME is only the first step.
According to the Board and education experts, many candidates fail UTME because they:
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Study without direction
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Ignore the JAMB syllabus
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Practice too few CBT questions
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Lack proper exam strategy
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Depend on last-minute cramming
Structured preparation is therefore essential for success.
NaijaMixed Introduces Paid JAMB VIP WhatsApp Classes (₦7,500 Only)
To support candidates preparing for the 2026 UTME, NaijaMixed has launched a Paid JAMB VIP WhatsApp Class, designed to help students prepare effectively and confidently.
Cost:
₦7,500 only (one-time payment)
What the NaijaMixed JAMB VIP Class Offers
The NaijaMixed VIP class is a guided learning environment, not a noisy WhatsApp group.
Participants enjoy:
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Daily subject-based lessons
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Simplified explanations of difficult topics
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Likely JAMB questions and answers
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Past questions breakdown
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CBT exam tips and time management strategies
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Continuous assessment and practice
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Direct academic guidance
Subjects Covered in the VIP Class
The VIP class supports major UTME subjects, including:
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English Language
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Mathematics
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Biology
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Physics
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Chemistry
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Economics
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Government
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Literature-in-English
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CRS / IRS
Lessons are tailored for both average and strong students.
Why WhatsApp Is Effective for UTME Preparation
WhatsApp-based learning works well because:
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Students already use the platform daily
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Lessons can be accessed anytime
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Materials are easy to save and revise
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Data consumption is minimal
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Interaction is flexible and supportive
This makes it ideal for candidates with limited resources.
Who Should Join the NaijaMixed VIP Class?
The class is suitable for:
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SS3 students
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UTME retakers
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Candidates aiming for 250+ or 300+
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Students confused about subject combinations
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Candidates who need daily academic discipline
Why ₦7,500 Is a Wise Investment
Compared to physical tutorial centres charging ₦30,000–₦100,000, the NaijaMixed VIP class offers:
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Affordability
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Convenience
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Focused UTME content
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Flexible learning schedule
A small improvement in UTME score can determine admission success or failure.
Final Advice to 2026 UTME Candidates
Candidates are strongly advised to:
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Complete their JAMB registration immediately
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Ignore rumours of extension
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Avoid last-minute pressure
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Begin serious preparation early
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Seek structured academic support