According to official news that is coming from JAMB, the JAMB 2026 registration closing date has been slated for 28th February, 2026
If you are a student that wants to write the 2026 jamb exam, then it is very important that you go and register before that day. It has no verified extensions, and last-minute rush can be costly to you.
This blog post will contain a straight forward guide on all that surrounds the JAMB 2026 registration deadline such as the reasons as to why the time limit matters and why missing it is not advisable. It also includes the tips on a successful registration and additional information that the other sources do not address. The guide is in your favor whether this is your first or a second UTME.
Timeline: What You Should Know About the 2026 UTME Schedule
The 2026 registration actually started on January 26.
The registration deadline has been set for 28th February.
The mock exam which is optional is on the 25th of March.
Lastly, the JAMB examination for 2026 will start on 16th April 2026.
If you look properly at this time frame, you will notice that JAMB has a period of 6 weeks for you to get registered for the exam.
Throughout that period, you have to visit an approved CBT center, make a JAMB profile, make sure that you have NIN ready, and undergo a biometric verification. And it is much to manage within a brief space of time.
When you miss it, you must wait another year.
Common Mistakes That Can Make You Miss The JAMB 2026 Registration Closing Date
Most of the students succumb to the traps unknowingly. This doesn’t mean that they do not like their education. It is just that they do not know the facts early enough. Some of them are below;
1. Waiting for complete results before registering
Until the results of WAEC or NECO are announced, students are usually held in registration. You have an option of registering with the status of awaiting result and updating it later, so do not wait.
2. Technical faults at CBT centers
In the last week of registration, the registration centers are overcrowded and machines break down. Biometrics can go dead and networks can crash. These risks are minimized by acting early.
3. Lack of NIN
JAMB must have a National Identification Number. Others that have failed to acquire it will be excluded out of the system. Register early enough by having your NIN.
4. Misinformation from peers
Misinformation on extension of deadlines or falseness of dates went round. Conform to the fixed date of closing of February 28, 2026. The rest is liable to trouble.
How to Avoid Missing the JAMB 2026 Registration Closing Date
1. Go And Get Your National Identification Number(NIN)
Without it, you cannot make a registration. Go to any office, bank, or certified center of NIMC. The process is free and quick.
2. Create your JAMB profile early
Go through the official portal at www.jamb.gov.ng. Once open, create your profile, check your email and phone number and secure everything. Make sure your name complies with documents.
3. Gather all your documents
Make sure that you have your O-level results. In the meantime, when you are waiting to get results, make a note of this when you register.
4. Visit an accredited CBT center
Internet cafes are prohibited. The only accredited centers are able to scan your registration and take your biometrics.
5. Pay the correct fees
The registration fee is N7,200.
What Happens If You Miss the JAMB 2026 Registration Closing Date?
No make-up date, in case you do not even register by the required date. You will wait until the registration of 2027 opens early next year. Missing this year means that first off all, you will not be able to write the UTME exam for 2026. If this does eventually happen, then you will not get any admission this year.
The bottom line is you will have to start at home for another one year.
This is the reason why one should not take the JAMB 2026 registration closing date lightly.
How JAMB’s 2026 System Is Different From Previous Years
For every year, JAMB will also do a system upgrade. This upgrade is to handle the increasing number of students that they are registering every year.
Some of the main improvements that will be made this year are:
1. Bigger biometric scanning to eliminate impersonation.
2. Swifter confirmation of a payment through the Remita system.
3. Revalidation exercise of those who registered partially but did not complete it.
4. Integration with the portals of the WAEC and NECO to accelerate the verification of results.
The changes are supposed to facilitate the process but do not wait until February 27th to do so.
What to Do After Registering Before the Exam
Once you have done registration, get busy preparing.
– Get the syllabus of the JAMB to take your plan of study.
– Training on the previous JAMB questions.
– Participate in a mock test in case you have paid to do it, it will make you familiar with the CBT format.
– Be careful that you check your registration slip regularly to make sure that you are using the right subject combinations and centers.
When to Expect Your Exam Center and Slip
Approximately one week before the exam JAMB publishes the information on exam slips. It is possible to reprint the slip with your registration number. Be ready the first week of April and have yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Would I be able to get registered using my smart phone at home?
No. It has to be registered in a credible CBT facility. JAMB profiles can be completed at home, but it is necessary to register in biometric centers afterwards.
2. Is it possible to select a university before the WAEC results?
Yes. You are at liberty to submit with a pending status and revise your status when your results have been published.
3. Will I receive a penalty in case I register twice?
Yes. The JAMB has some mechanisms that they use to detect double registration. You can be disqualified or your registration terminated.
4. What will I do in case I lose my SIM card after registration?
It’s risky. Every update will be received using that number. Keep your SIM safe.
5. What is the number of universities to pick during registration?
You can choose four institutions: a university, a poly-technic, a college of education, and an innovation enterprise institution.
6. Can my error in my name be fixed?
Once registered, most changes cannot be done. The information like names and date of birth should be correct when filled in and hence one should look carefully into them.
7. Which things should I carry to the exam centre?
Carry your JAMB slip and a valid identification. Bringing calculators, phones, and bags is forbidden.
Conclusion
JAMB does not alter or postpone dates very often except in a case of a national emergency. Once again, the JAMB 2026 registration closing date is 28th February 2026 and is not expected to change.
Do not even think of postponing your registration because last minute rush will not do you any good.
This deadline is to be taken seriously. Get ready all the documents, get your NIN, check your CBT centre and register at the earliest. The post secondary school years are very crucial and the preparation begins with registration and not the exam.
Stay wise. Register early.