By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Friday, February 23, 2026, warned Nigerian candidates and parents nationwide to disregard false reports claiming the 2026 UTME registration fees had increased, urging them to rely only on official JAMB platforms to avoid being misled or exploited.
JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin said candidates should carefully read official advertisements to prevent paying unofficial fees.
Registration Figures for 2026 UTME
As of February 17, over 1.5 million candidates had registered nationwide. Despite rising operational costs, JAMB confirmed fees have remained unchanged since 2019.
The Federal Executive Council approved a reduction in the UTME application fee from ₦5,000 to ₦3,500 in 2018, effective from the 2019 registration exercise.
Approved JAMB Registration Fees
JAMB outlined the 2026 fees for candidates:
- Direct Entry (DE): ₦5,700
- UTME Only (without Mock): ₦7,200
- UTME with Mock: ₦8,700
- Application Fee: ₦3,500
- Reading Text: ₦1,000
- CBT Centre Registration Service Charge: ₦700
- CBT Centre UTME Service Charge: ₦1,500
- Bank Charges: ₦500
- CBT Mock-UTME Centre Charge: ₦1,500
Candidates are advised to pay only the approved fees to avoid exploitation.
JAMB Urges Vigilance Against Fraudulent Centres
The Board cautioned that individuals, agents, or centres charging above official fees will face sanctions.
“Candidates who paid more than the approved fees should report such centres with credible evidence,” the statement read.
Reports will enable JAMB to investigate and discipline erring centres immediately.
Key Dates for 2026 UTME Registration
- Sale of e-PINs: Ended Thursday, February 25, 2026
- Registration at Accredited CBT Centres: Ends Saturday, February 28, 2026
Candidates who purchased e-PINs should complete registration before the deadline.
Conclusion
JAMB emphasized that candidates must rely on official platforms and advertisements to avoid fraud, with erring centres facing immediate sanctions.
