No Plan To Increase Application Fees For 2026 UTME/DE- JAMB

…Advises Prospective Candidates To Create Profiles With Verified NIN

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it does not plan to increase the cost of application forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) exercise.

The Board in its Weekly Bulletin released on Monday, revealed that it has maintained the same application fees for the past nine years, and in fact, reduced the registration fee for prospective candidates during this period.

According to JAMB, the decision to keep fees stable is in line with the directive of the President of Nigeria, conveyed through the Minister of Education, to prioritize affordability and transparency in the Board’s activities.

The Board added that it will only consider increasing fees if it becomes absolutely necessary to sustain the integrity and quality of the examination process.

The Board advised parents and guardians to make early arrangements and ensure timely registration of their wards, as there will be no extension of the registration period once registration commences.

“This position is in line with the continued directive of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, conveyed through the Honourable Minister of Education, that the activities of the Board must at all times be guided by the present administration’s human-face policies, with due consideration for the prevailing economic realities faced by 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.

“Parents and guardians are therefore advised to make early arrangements and ensure timely registration of their wards, as the Board wishes to reiterate that there will be no extension of the registration period once registration commences.

“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,” JAMB noted.

It also emphasised its commitment to accountability, transparency, and effective public-sector financial management, citing its substantial remittances to the Federal Government over the years.

In a related development, JAMB has called on candidates desirous of registering for the 2026 UTME and DE to create their profiles with verified National Identification Number (NIN) details ahead of the registration exercise.

The Board warned that creating profiles with incorrect NIN information could lead to avoidable challenges during registration and subsequent examination processes.

The Board also commended the leadership of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Investment and Credit Cooperative Society (JICCS) for mandating officers exiting the service of the Board to obtain clearance from the Society before proceeding on such ventures or retirement.

The JICCS President, Mr. Caleb Musa, said the move has boosted the financial fortunes of the society and renewed confidence and trust of members.

The JICCS has also established a laundry service and a water factory, providing employment opportunities for youths and services to members at subsidized rates.

The society has also reviewed its loan interest rate from five per cent to 10 per cent for the overall benefit of members.

No Plan To Increase Application Fees For 2026 UTME/DE- JAMB is first published on The Whistler Newspaper