The direct entry registration fees for 2026 is honestly one of the first questions most students ask immediately they decide not to write UTME again. Not even “what course should I study?” Not even “which school is easiest?” The first real panic is money.
Because nobody prepares you for the hidden expenses.
Many students think Direct Entry is just buying the JAMB form and going home. Then the surprises begin. CBT centre charges. O’level verification. Statement of result uploads. Passport issues. Sometimes even transport alone becomes another registration fee.
I have seen people abandon registration halfway because they planned ₦5,000 when the real life cost crossed ₦18,000.
So in this guide, I am going to break everything down like we are sitting together inside a business centre. No guessing. No sugar coating. Just the real cost and what you should budget so you won’t get stranded at the registration desk.
Understanding Direct Entry Before Talking About the Fees
Let me clear something first.
Direct Entry is not a shortcut to university.
It is simply another admission route for students who already have a higher qualification. That qualification could be ND, NCE, IJMB, JUPEB, HND, A-Level or a diploma.
Instead of writing UTME again, you use that qualification to enter 200 level in most universities.
But here is what many people do not know.
JAMB still controls the process. Which means the registration structure is almost as serious as UTME. The difference is you will not sit for JAMB exam. You are only creating an admission record in the JAMB system.
That is why the direct entry registration fees for 2026 still exists and you must complete it before any school can consider you.
Official Direct Entry Registration Fees for 2026
Now let’s talk about the real number.
JAMB does not just wake up and pick a price. They divide the cost into components.
The official fee you pay to JAMB is made up of
• JAMB e-PIN
• Reading text
• Registration service charge
• CBT centre processing
The actual government approved JAMB Direct Entry form usually costs around ₦3,500 for the e-PIN plus ₦1,000 reading text and ₦700 service charge.
So on paper, the official amount is about ₦5,200.
But here is the reality.
You will almost never finish registration with ₦5,200.
And this is where students get confused about the direct entry registration fees for 2026.
The Realistic Total Cost Students Actually Pay
Let me show you what actually happens when you go to a CBT centre.
You sit down. They ask for passport. They check O’level. They upload your ND or A-level result. They scan documents. They correct name arrangement. They create profile code. They sometimes correct date of birth.
Each one comes with a small charge.
Here is a realistic breakdown
Profile code creation ₦100 to ₦200
CBT registration charge ₦700 to ₦1,500
Document scanning ₦500 to ₦1,000
O’level upload ₦1,000 to ₦2,000
Result verification ₦500
Passport capture ₦500
Printout ₦200 to ₦500
When you add everything together, the real life direct entry registration fees for 2026 most candidates will spend ranges between:
₦10,000 to ₦18,000
Yes. That is the honest budget.
Why Direct Entry Registration Fees for 2026 Looks Cheaper but Isn’t
Many people say Direct Entry is cheaper than UTME.
Technically yes.
Practically not always.
UTME candidates mostly only upload O’level result and fingerprint. Direct Entry candidates upload multiple credentials. ND result. Statement. Sometimes transcript. A-level certificate. Institution details.
More work equals more service charges.
This is why two students can register same day but pay different amounts.
Documents That Affect the Direct Entry Registration Fees for 2026
Your total cost depends on what you are bringing to the centre.
If you bring everything complete, you save money.
If you come unprepared, you spend more.
You should have
• O’level result WAEC NECO or NABTEB
• ND or NCE result
• A-level certificate if applicable
• Passport photograph
• Phone number linked to NIN
• Valid email
Here is a mistake many students make.
They come with only a phone screenshot of their result. The operator now prints it, resizes it, scans it, then uploads it. Each step costs money.
Preparation reduces the direct entry registration fees for 2026.
Hidden Charges Nobody Tells You About
Now I want to tell you the part no blog usually explains.
Transport.
Some candidates travel to another town because their local CBT centres are full. That alone can double the cost.
Also name correction.
If your ND certificate says “Chukwu Collins” but your NIN says “Collins Chukwu Nwonu”, registration will stop. You must correct it first.
Correction fees can reach ₦2,500 or more.
This is why some students end up spending ₦20,000 total on the direct entry registration fees for 2026.
Mistakes That Make Students Pay Twice
Very important.
Students repeat payment because of avoidable errors.
Common ones include
Wrong email address
Inactive SIM card
Wrong date of birth
Uploading awaiting result instead of final result
Using different names across documents
Once JAMB locks your profile, corrections cost money.
Always cross check before leaving the CBT centre.
Read; JAMB 2026 Mock Exam Date: Just Released
When to Pay the Direct Entry Registration Fees for 2026
Do not rush day one.
Also do not wait till last week.
The best time is 1 to 2 weeks after registration starts. The system will be stable and queues will reduce.
Early days bring server failure. Late days bring panic charges.
Timing actually affects how much you end up paying in the direct entry registration fees for 2026.
Can Someone Else Register For You
Short answer no.
Your biometric fingerprint must be captured physically. No agent can do it for you.
Anyone promising to “help you register from home” is likely to cause admission problems later.
JAMB admission uses the same biometric record.
Does Paying More Increase Admission Chance
No.
CBT centre fees and JAMB admission are not connected.
Admission depends on
Your qualification grade
University requirements
Department quota
Screening performance
Not how much you paid during the direct entry registration fees for 2026.
Budget Advice for Candidates
Here is the safest plan.
Prepare ₦15,000 before going.
If you spend less, good.
If you spend more, you are still covered.
Also go with cash and bank transfer option because some centres reject transfers during network failure.
7 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I register Direct Entry without NIN?
No. JAMB profile cannot be created without a valid National Identification Number.
2. Can I combine WAEC and NECO for Direct Entry?
Yes. Most universities accept two sittings but confirm your school requirement first.
3. Is Direct Entry admission faster than UTME?
Usually yes because DE candidates are fewer, but competition still depends on the course.
4. Can I change institution after Direct Entry registration?
Yes. JAMB allows change of institution during the correction period.
5. Will I write any exam after Direct Entry registration?
No JAMB exam. Only the university screening or post UTME.
6. Can HND holders use Direct Entry?
Yes. Many universities admit HND holders into 300 level depending on course.
7. What happens if I don’t upload my O’level result?
Your admission will not reflect on JAMB CAPS even if the school admits you.
Conclusion
If there is one thing I want you to take from this guide, it is planning. The direct entry registration fees for 2026 is not just the JAMB form price you see online. It is the total preparation cost from profile creation to final printout.
When you prepare your documents early, confirm your name arrangement, and budget realistically, the process becomes smooth and stress free.
Direct Entry is a powerful admission route when handled correctly, but small mistakes during registration can delay admission for a whole year.
So before registration begins, gather your credentials, arrange your funds, and walk into the CBT centre confident and prepared, because now you actually understand the real direct entry registration fees for 2026, right?