The direct entry registration starting date for 2026 has been set to start from Monday, 2nd March. The registration period will span for over 30 days and will end on Saturday, 25th April.
Direct Entry Registration Starting Date for 2026 Is 2nd March
Between Monday 2nd March 2026 and Saturday 25th April 2026, the entire direct entry applicants will be able to apply via JAMB. This will have you a complete eight weeks.
The direct entry registration especially for 2026 is not something that you should do at the last minute. If you go ahead and ask the students that registered late, they will tell you that they had registration problems because that is the time that the registration portal always gets busy and slow.
JAMB does not extend entry deadlines in normal cases so failure to do so will mean another year of waiting.
So what will you do until the direct entry registration starting date of 2026?
What You Can Do Before the Direct Entry Registration Starting Date for 2026
You need not wait until March. These are some of the steps you can make before the direct entry registration starting date of 2026 to make sure you are ahead of time.
1. Get Your JAMB Profile Ready
All the DE applicants require a JAMB profile code. You must have one in case you already enrolled in UTME. Otherwise, do it immediately either through SMS or through the internet at jamb.gov.ng.
2. Validate Your Certificates
And do not think that your ND certificate is okay. Check name spelling, registration numbers and outcome. There are numerous universities that refuse applicants due to minor differences in names in documents.
3. Get Your NIN Ready
It is mandatory to have a National Identification Number. In case you do not have one, you should now sign up with NIMC and retain the number until the time of registration.
4. Save Money for Registration
Registration isn’t free. As it stands, the current charges at JAMB include:
– N4,000 for the ePIN
– N1,000 for the reading text
– N700 as the service charge in the CBT center.
Other accredited centers charge internet or printing costs. Keep N5,000–N6,000 ready to avoid delays.
Documents You Need Ahead of the Direct Entry Registration Starting Date for 2026
Let’s talk about documents. You don’t want surprises. Begin now to collect the following:
1. Original ND or NCE certificates or statement of result.
2. A‑level result (JUPEB, IJMB, etc.)
3. O level WAEC, NECO or NABTEB certificates.
4. NYSC certificate (when necessary, in case of degree holders)
5. Birth certificate or Age declaration.
6. Certificate of local origin of government.
7. JAMB profile code printout
8. NIN slip
9. Passport photograph (clear and recent)
These will be uploaded at the time of registration. You should not wait until the direct entry registration starting date of 2026 to begin to collect your file.
How to Register Once the Direct Entry Registration Starting Date for 2026 Arrives
On Monday, 2nd March 2026, the following is the step by step procedure.
Step 1: Get the JAMB ePIN
Purchase your Direct entry ePIN in banks (Zenith, Access, Union, First Bank), mobile wallets (Paga, Opay) or in JAMB portals and in approved CBT centres. Click on generate payment details using your profile code.
Step 2: Pay a visit to an accredited CBT Center.
Register at a JAMB center that is accredited and carry your ePIN and documents along with your documents. You will be issued with a first-hand entry acknowledgment slip. Make sure:
– Your name is the same as your documents.
– It is the right stream in the institution you have chosen.
– The copies uploaded are neat scanned copies.
Choosing the Right Institutions After the Direct Entry Registration Starting Date for 2026 Is Key
Do not choose a school that just happens to offer your course. There is stiff competition among the DE applicants. This is what most candidates are not actually aware of.
Direct entry is not always accepted in some schools. Some of them embrace JUPEB but do away with IJMB. Other people on the one hand take HND in certain courses but not in all.
DE is accepted by such popular schools as UNILAG, UNN, ABU, UI, UNIBEN and UNIUYO, their selection conditions vary. The amount of DE slots on a course varies even by school. Ensure that you go through the admission brochures or previous cut-offs of every school.
Once the direct entry registration commencing date of 2026, most students will begin posing questions online as to whether they made the right choices of schools. You should sort yours now.
What to Expect After the Direct Entry Registration Starting Date for 2026
Application done. So what happens next? You wait. The time most schools begin screening is in May to July 2026. Common steps include:
1. Screening of documents online.
2. Academic transcripts uploading.
3. Physical screenings (only in a few universities)
Continue to check JAMB and the portal of admission of your school. Others will e-mail you, others will not. Always double‑check.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it possible to apply in both UTME and Direct Entry in the year 2026?
Yes, but not until JAMB explains its dual application policy. One of the safest things to do is to concentrate on one qualified route.
2. Does it accept Direct Entry to Law, Medicine or Engineering?
It depends on the school. In other schools, DE is accepted in Law and also in fewer schools in Medicine. School policies should always be checked separately.
3. Is it possible to switch institutions after registering?
Yes. JAMB also offers a chance to change institutions following registration at a low cost.
4. Do I have to write any exam when I register for DE?
JAMB does not examine DE applicants but your school of choice may do so. UNIBEN and UNILORIN along with a few others administer post-DE screening exams.
5. Is it possible to use an old ND or NCE result?
Yes. As long as it is valid and you graduated out of a recognized institution, the age of the result does not disqualify you unless the school rejected the result.
6. Should my transcript be submitted prior to me registering?
No. Hand in your transcript when you are registered. In the majority of schools, you are provided with a portal or a date to submit it.
7. How many courses am I eligible to apply for in direct entry?
A single course in each institution except that you may select additional schools at the time of registration.
Conclusion
In summary, the direct entry registration will start on Monday, 2nd March 2026 and will end on Saturday, 25th April 2026. It is your opportunity to continue your academic process without stepping back to UTME. Plan wisely and act early. When you don’t prepare well now that it’s February, you will likely have a lot of issues when you want to register in March.
Now that you know the direct entry registration starting date for 2026, begin to gather your documents and get ready for March 2nd. You’ve got this.
Goodluck!