The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially calmed the nerves of millions of Nigerian households by confirming that the prices for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) application documents will remain stable.
In its latest Weekly Bulletin released on Monday, the Board reassured “parents, guardians, and prospective candidates” that it has strictly maintained a freeze on price hikes, noting it has not raised fees for either UTME or DE “in the last nine years.”
Countering speculation of a potential increase due to current economic pressures, JAMB highlighted its track record of making higher education entry more accessible. The Board pointed out that registration costs have actually been “reduced for prospective candidates within the nine years of the existence of the current administration.”
This commitment to affordability is not accidental but a deliberate alignment with the presidency’s social agenda. JAMB explained that this policy follows the directive of President Bola Tinubu, as communicated by the Minister of Education, ensuring that the Board’s operations reflect “the administration’s human-face policies and take into account the economic realities facing Nigerian families.”
The Board released this update to assist families in their financial planning for the upcoming academic session.
“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,” the Board stated.
Prospective candidates should take note of the confirmed timeline:
– Sale Commencement: Friday, January 31, 2026
– Closing Date: Saturday, March 8, 2026
JAMB issued a stern reminder that the registration window will be strictly enforced, urging guardians to make early arrangements because “the registration period will not be extended once it begins.”
Despite resisting the urge to increase fees, the Board maintained that its financial health remains robust. JAMB attributed its ability to keep costs low to its internal fiscal discipline.
“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. This underscores JAMB’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and effective public-sector financial management,” the bulletin read.
The Board concluded by reiterating its mission to provide a world-class examination experience without placing an undue burden on the pockets of Nigerians: “JAMB remains committed to fairness, transparency, and affordability while sustaining global best practices in the conduct of its examinations.”
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