JAMB RULES OUT INCREASE IN COST OF FEES FOR UTME AND DIRECT ENTRY 2026 CANDIDATES

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended a reassuring message to parents, guardians, and prospective candidates, affirming that the application fees for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) will remain unchanged, thereby alleviating concerns about potential financial burdens amidst the prevailing economic pressures in Nigeria. As stated in a communiqué issued by the Board, JAMB has steadfastly maintained a stable cost regime, refraining from increasing the cost of its application documents for both UTME and DE over the past nine years, and has, in fact, implemented reductions in registration fees during the tenure of the current administration. This commitment to keeping costs stable is underservedly noteworthy, especially when considered against the backdrop of the challenging economic landscape currently confronting Nigerian families. The assurance is wholly consistent with the explicit directive of President Bola Tinubu, as conveyed through the Minister of Education, emphasizing that all activities of the Board should be conducted in a manner that reflects the administration’s people-centric policies, while also taking cognizance of the harsh economic realities facing households across the nation. In underscoring its unwavering dedication to these principles, JAMB has reaffirmed its overarching commitment to upholding the tenets of fairness, affordability, and transparency in its operations, while simultaneously ensuring the maintenance of global best practices in the conduct of its examinations. To this end, the Board has urged parents and guardians to take proactive steps in preparing for the examination, ensuring the timely registration of their wards, and has cautioned that there will be no extension of the registration window, a clarificatory note intended to facilitate informed planning amongst all stakeholders.