The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced January 26, 2026 as the official start date for the sale of application documents for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry admissions, marking the formal beginning of the 2026/2027 tertiary admissions cycle.

The announcement was made in a photostatement signed by the JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, and shared on the Board’s official X platform on Tuesday night. According to the statement, applications are now open to qualified candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions for the coming academic session.

According to JAMB, the move sets the pace for a tightly scheduled admissions calendar that includes defined registration windows, examination dates, and special provisions for underage candidates.

Age requirement and eligibility rules

JAMB reaffirmed its long-standing age eligibility policy, stating that candidates must be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026 to be considered for admission. The Board described the rule as a general requirement tied to academic readiness and institutional expectations.

“Only candidates who will not be less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 are generally eligible to apply or be considered,” the statement read.

However, the Board also outlined a narrow exception for candidates below the age threshold, a policy that has remained one of the most debated aspects of the UTME framework in recent years.

According to the release, candidates under 16 years old by the cut-off date may still be considered, but only under strict and clearly defined conditions.

Conditions for underage candidates

JAMB said underage applicants will be subjected to an intensive evaluation process before any waiver is granted. According to the Board, such candidates must demonstrate exceptional academic performance across multiple examinations.

The statement explained that underage candidates must score not less than 80 percent in each of the UTME or A-Level examinations, Post-UTME, Senior School Certificate Examination, and a separate exceptional candidate assessment conducted by the Board.

JAMB added that the results of underage candidates who sit for the UTME will not be released immediately. Instead, their scores will only be made public after the completion of the entire evaluation process.

Education analysts say this approach reflects JAMB’s effort to balance access to early academic advancement with concerns about emotional maturity and long-term performance in higher education.

Registration timeline for UTME candidates

On the registration schedule, JAMB announced that UTME registration for candidates within Nigeria and those applying from foreign countries will run from Monday, January 26, 2026 to Saturday, February 28, 2026.

This five-week window, according to admissions experts, is consistent with recent cycles and is intended to give candidates sufficient time to complete biometric verification, profile creation, and registration at accredited centres nationwide.

Meanwhile, JAMB urged prospective candidates to begin preparations early, particularly in securing National Identification Numbers, which remain mandatory for UTME registration.

UTME and mock examination dates

The Board also released the examination timetable for the 2026 UTME. According to the statement, the main examination will begin on Thursday, April 16, 2026 and end on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

In addition, JAMB confirmed that the optional Mock UTME will hold on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

The mock examination, which allows candidates to familiarise themselves with the computer-based testing environment, has increasingly been used by students to assess readiness and reduce exam-day anxiety.

Education stakeholders note that the early release of registration and examination dates is particularly significant in 2026, as tertiary institutions continue to adjust academic calendars following years of disruptions caused by industrial actions and policy reforms.

According to reports from university administrators, clearer timelines from JAMB help institutions plan Post-UTME screenings, admission lists, and resumption schedules more efficiently.

The structured timeline also allows parents and guardians to plan financially, especially amid rising costs associated with examination registration, transportation, and preparation materials.

Background on JAMB’s evolving policies

Over the past decade, JAMB has steadily tightened its admissions processes, introducing biometric verification, computer-based testing, and stricter age and eligibility checks.

Professor Ishaq Oloyede has repeatedly stated that these reforms are aimed at restoring credibility to Nigeria’s admissions system and reducing malpractice.

According to Punch, JAMB has also expanded access to foreign-based candidates and improved monitoring at accredited centres, measures that have reduced reported cases of impersonation and result manipulation.

While the registration and exam dates have been confirmed, candidates are advised to watch for additional guidelines from JAMB in the coming weeks. These typically include the list of accredited registration centres, detailed instructions on subject combinations, and policies on examination misconduct.

Admissions consultants also expect further clarification on Direct Entry registration timelines and requirements, which often follow a slightly different schedule from UTME applicants.

For underage candidates seeking waivers, experts recommend close attention to documentation requirements and timelines, as the evaluation process can extend beyond the main UTME period.

For universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, the announcement signals the start of another competitive admissions cycle. According to higher education analysts, institutions may face increased pressure to align their internal screening processes with JAMB’s compressed timetable.

Some institutions are also expected to review their minimum admission age policies in line with JAMB’s framework, particularly as debates around academic acceleration versus student welfare continue.

With the January 26 start date now confirmed, the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry admissions process is officially underway. JAMB’s early release of key dates and eligibility rules provides candidates, parents, and institutions with a clearer roadmap for the year ahead.

As registration opens and examinations draw closer, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how effectively the Board enforces its policies, particularly around age waivers and result releases. For millions of candidates, the next few months will be critical in determining their path into Nigeria’s tertiary education system.