By RismadarVoice Reporters
January 5, 2026
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 registration fees for UTME or DE in the last nine years, adding that costs have, in fact, been reduced within the period of the current administration.
JAMB gave the assurance in its Weekly Bulletin, obtained on Monday, stressing that any future fee adjustment 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 Ahmed Tinubu, conveyed through the Minister of Education, that government agencies must reflect the administration’s human-face policies and take into account the prevailing economic realities facing Nigerian families.
“This clarification is provided to properly guide parents, guardians, and prospective candidates who wish to plan for the education of their children, as the cost implication for the 2026 exercise remains largely the same as that of the previous year,” the Board stated.
JAMB noted that despite the downward review of fees over the years, it has continued to operate efficiently, prudently, recording substantial remittances to the Federal Government.
“This underscores JAMB’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and effective public-sector financial management,” the Board said, reaffirming its resolve to maintain affordability while sustaining global best practices in examination administration.
The Board also announced that the sale of forms for the 2026 UTME will commence on Friday, January 31, 2026, and close on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
JAMB reiterated its commitment to fairness, transparency, equal access to tertiary education for all qualified Nigerian candidates.
