The 2026 Direct Entry registration has officially commenced as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board opened its portal for eligible candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions without sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The registration window began on Monday, March 2, 2026, and will run through Saturday, April 25, 2026, giving applicants roughly eight weeks to complete the process. The exercise is specifically for holders of diplomas, NCE certificates, and A level qualifications who intend to secure admission directly into the 200 level of their preferred degree programs.
According to the Board, the sale of e PINs and submission of application documents must be completed within the approved timeframe. Officials have stressed that registration can only be carried out at designated JAMB State and Zonal offices nationwide.
Unlike UTME candidates, Direct Entry applicants must present original academic credentials during registration. This includes previous matriculation numbers, awarding institutions, and years of graduation. The Board has also reiterated that candidates with awaiting O level results will not be permitted to register. All O level and A level qualifications must be uploaded to the JAMB portal before the registration can be validated.
To initiate the process, candidates are required to generate a unique profile code by sending their eleven digit National Identification Number to 55019 or 66019 using their personal mobile numbers. The generated profile code is mandatory for the purchase of the Direct Entry e PIN.
The approved registration fee is N5,700. This sum covers the N3,500 application fee, N1,000 for the compulsory reading text, N700 CBT center service charge, and N500 bank administrative fee. Applicants have been advised to avoid unauthorized vendors and to complete their biometric capturing in person at accredited offices to prevent cases of identity theft or registration irregularities.
A notable update for the 2026 exercise is the strict enforcement of the age requirement. Only candidates who will be at least sixteen years old by September 30, 2026, will be considered eligible for admission. Additionally, the Board has introduced the Keep My Number initiative in partnership with telecommunication providers to ensure that SIM cards used during registration remain active for at least three years. This measure is designed to maintain effective communication between the Board and applicants.
Prospective candidates are encouraged to consult the JAMB e brochure and e syllabus available on the official website to confirm subject combinations and institutional requirements before finalizing their applications. READ ALSO NCAA Mandates Refunds for Unlawful Aviation VAT Charges
The Board has also reaffirmed its zero tolerance stance on multiple registrations. Any applicant found to have registered more than once will face automatic disqualification. In cases of data entry errors, candidates are advised to process corrections through the official portal rather than attempting a new registration.
With the JAMB 2026 Direct Entry registration deadline set for late April, eligible applicants are urged to complete their submissions early to avoid the last minute rush and possible technical challenges that typically accompany the closing days of nationwide registration exercises.
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