Over 1.5 Million Apply as JAMB Confirms Final 2026 UTME Registration Deadline
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has officially announced that over 1.5 million candidates have successfully applied for the upcoming entrance examinations while maintaining a firm stance on the 2026 UTME registration deadline.
According to a statement released by the board’s spokesperson in Abuja, the window for application will definitively close on February 26, 2026, leaving no room for further extensions. This announcement comes as a critical reminder to prospective university, polytechnic, and college of education students across the nation to complete their profiles and biometric captures before the portal shuts down.
Despite the high volume of traffic on the registration portal, the board expressed satisfaction with the seamless nature of the process so far. The Registrar emphasized that the current figure of 1.5 million applicants reflects a significant interest in tertiary education and underscores the efficiency of the computerized system.
JAMB has reiterated that any candidate who fails to finalize their application by the February 26 2026 UTME registration deadline will forfeit the opportunity to participate in the current academic cycle, as the board needs adequate time to finalize logistics for the Computer Based Test centers.
To ensure a hitch-free conclusion to the exercise, the board has directed all accredited Computer Based Test centers to maximize their operating hours and attend to the remaining influx of students. Candidates are advised to resolve any issues regarding their National Identification Number verification immediately, as this remains a prerequisite for generating a profile code.
The board noted that a few technical glitches reported earlier in the month have been resolved, and the system is currently performing at optimum capacity to accommodate the final rush of applicants.
Beyond the registration statistics, JAMB also cautioned candidates against patronizing unauthorized centers or falling victim to fraudulent individuals promising to manipulate examination dates or locations. The board maintained that every step of the process is fully automated and transparent, ensuring that only legitimate candidates are cleared for the examination.
Parents and guardians have been urged to monitor the progress of their wards to ensure that all necessary fees and documentation are submitted well ahead of the final cut off date.
As the countdown to the closure begins, the focus now shifts toward the preparation of the examination centers and the deployment of security measures to prevent malpractice. The board’s insistence on the 2026 UTME registration deadline is part of a broader strategy to maintain a stable academic calendar for Nigerian tertiary institutions. With just a few days remaining, the pressure is on for thousands of late applicants to secure their spot in what is expected to be one of the most competitive examination seasons in recent years.