2026 UTME: NO EXTENSION AFTER FEB 26 DEADLINE – JAMB. (PHOTO).

2026 UTME: No extension after Feb 26 deadline – JAMB

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a firm reminder to prospective candidates that registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will end on Thursday, February 26, 2026, with no extension granted under any circumstances.

In its weekly bulletin released on Monday, February 9, 2026, JAMB urged candidates to complete their registration promptly to avoid being left out. The board highlighted concerns over the persistently low turnout at many accredited registration centres at this stage of the exercise.

JAMB expressed strong disapproval of the recurring habit among some candidates of delaying registration until the final days, only to later demand an extension. The board stated that such tactics would not be tolerated this year.

“This recurring pattern, where candidates deliberately delay registration until the final days and subsequently begin to agitate for an extension, will not be entertained in 2026,” JAMB declared.

The board further revealed that it is aware of deliberate strategies employed by examination cheats and certain individuals posing as tutorial centre operators, who advise candidates to postpone registration. According to JAMB, this is often intended to pressure authorities into extending the deadline, allowing large groups of candidates to move to centres together and thereby facilitating examination malpractice.

JAMB emphasized that the 2026 UTME registration began on January 26, 2026, and was scheduled to run for five weeks, a timeline that remains unchanged. So far, approximately one million candidates have shown interest in the examination, with many having already purchased their ePINs and expected to finalize registration soon.

The board noted that extending the registration period is not feasible, as its operational calendar is synchronized with those of other examination bodies.

Candidates were strongly advised to register early, steer clear of last-minute rushes, and ignore any rumours or suggestions that the deadline might be extended. JAMB made it clear that it would not accept responsibility for candidates who miss the stipulated timeframe due to inaction.