The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has reassured Nigerians that the cost of application forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry programmes is not expected to rise.
The examination body said it has not increased registration fees for UTME or DE in the past nine years, adding that costs have in fact been reduced during the period under the current administration. The assurance was directed at parents, guardians and prospective candidates.
JAMB made the clarification in its Weekly Bulletin obtained on Monday, explaining that any future review of fees would only be considered if it became unavoidable in order to maintain the quality and integrity of its examinations.
According to the Board, the decision is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive, conveyed through the Minister of Education, that government agencies should operate with sensitivity to citizens’ economic realities and reflect people-oriented policies.
The Board said the clarification was intended to help families plan ahead for their children’s education, noting that the cost implications for the 2026 exercise remain largely unchanged from the previous year.
JAMB also advised parents and guardians to make early preparations for registration, stressing that once the registration window opens, it will not be extended.
It noted that despite reduced fees, the Board has continued to operate efficiently, recording substantial remittances to the Federal Government over the years. This, it said, reflects its commitment to accountability, transparency and prudent financial management in the public sector.
Reaffirming its position, JAMB said it remains focused on ensuring fairness, affordability and transparency while upholding global best practices in the conduct of its examinations.
The Board announced that the sale of forms for the 2026 UTME will begin on Friday, January 31, 2026, and end on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
