No Increment On 2026 UTME, Direct Entry Fees – JAMB

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has assured Nigerians that the cost of application documents for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) is unlikely to increase.

The Board said it has not raised fees for either the UTME or Direct Entry examinations in the last nine years, stressing that registration costs were, in fact, reduced within the period under the current administration.

JAMB stated this in its Weekly Bulletin obtained on Monday, noting that any future adjustment in fees would only be considered if absolutely necessary to sustain the integrity and quality of its examination processes.

According to the Board, the policy is in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu, conveyed through the Minister of Education, that government agencies must reflect a human-face approach and take into account the prevailing economic realities confronting Nigerian families.

“This clarification is provided to properly guide members of the public who wish to plan ahead for the education of their children, as the cost implication for the 2026 exercise remains largely the same as that of the previous year,” JAMB stated.

The examination body urged parents and guardians to make early arrangements for their wards and ensure timely registration, warning that the registration period would not be extended once it begins.

“Despite this downward review of fees, the Board has continued to operate efficiently and prudently, resulting in substantial remittances to the Federal Government over the years,” it said.

JAMB added that this performance underscores its commitment to accountability, transparency and effective public-sector financial management.

“JAMB remains committed to fairness, transparency and affordability while sustaining global best practices in the conduct of its examinations,” the Board said.

Meanwhile, JAMB announced that the sale of forms for the 2026 UTME would commence on Friday, January 31, 2026, and close on Saturday, March 8, 2026.