JAMB 2026 Direct Entry Registration has begun - See details

DIRECT ENTRY (DE) REQUIREMENTS

Candidates seeking Direct Entry admission must possess a minimum of five (5) SSCE O’Level credit passes obtained in not more than two sittings, with at least two credits at Principal or Advanced level. In place of A’Level qualifications, the following are also acceptable:

• First Degree (from Nigerian universities)
• University Diploma
• National Diploma (ND) — accepted only up to the 2024 admission intake
• Nigerian French Language Diploma / National Arabic Language Diploma
• Higher National Diploma (HND)
• Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE)
• IJMB, JUPEB, NABTEB (ANBC), NABTEB (ANTC) A-Level Certificates
• First Degree (from foreign universities)
• Cambridge A-Level
• International Baccalaureate (foreign certificates only)
• Foreign GCE A-Level
• Trans-national Foundation Certificates

All awarding institutions must forward verification details to JAMB before the registration process can be finalized.

Candidates are strongly advised to pre-verify their Direct Entry qualifications before completing DE registration.

At the time of registration, every DE candidate must provide the following details:

a) Registration or Matriculation Number from the institution where the qualification was obtained

b) Subject(s) taken

c) Awarding institution

d) Affiliated institution actually attended (where applicable)

e) Year of graduation

STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE FOR THE PURCHASE OF 2026 UTME/DE REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS

PROFILE CREATION

Each candidate must use a unique personal mobile phone number (SIM) to complete the registration process. This phone number can be used by only one candidate and will serve as the candidate’s permanent identification for all current and future dealings with the Board.

Candidates who purchase SIM cards solely for registration purposes are encouraged to activate the Keep My Number (KMN) service provided by their network operators. This service ensures that unused SIM cards are not reassigned to another person. KMN keeps the SIM active for an initial period of three (3) years, which can be renewed afterward.

Candidates must send their National Identification Number (NIN) via SMS from their personal phone number to 55019 or 66019. The SMS format should be:

NIN 00123456789

Ensure there is a space between “NIN” and the 11-digit number. The phone number used must not have been previously registered by another candidate for UTME or DE. Post-paid or special bundle SIM lines should not be used, unless they are loaded with regular airtime.

A 10-character Profile Code will be sent back to the candidate on the same phone number. Candidates who registered in previous years will receive the same profile code when using the same phone number. This profile code remains permanent for all present and future applications.

Candidates must carefully retain and remember their email address and registered phone number, as they are crucial for all communication with the Board.

By purchasing UTME application documents, candidates automatically consent to receiving SMS notifications from 55019 or 66019, even if the Do Not Disturb (DND) service is activated on their line.

Change of SIM number is not permitted after profile creation.

APPLICATION DOCUMENT PURCHASE AND REGISTRATION

Candidates must present their Profile Code at approved outlets such as Banks, Microfinance Banks (MFBs), Mobile Money Operators (MMOs), Switches, or USSD partners to purchase the application document. An e-PIN will then be sent to the candidate’s phone via SMS.

The Profile Code and e-PIN must be taken to any JAMB-accredited CBT centre to complete registration.

Registration will not be finalized until the candidate’s biometric data (all ten fingerprints) and live photograph are captured physically. Passport photographs are not accepted. Candidates must use at least two fingers for biometric verification, and fingerprint authentication will be required for any future transaction on the candidate’s profile.

Group or school-based registration is strictly prohibited, as many candidates later regret using such arrangements.

Only candidates whose biometric verification is successful on the examination day will be allowed to sit for the UTME or Mock examination.

Candidates experiencing biometric challenges must register only at JAMB National or State Offices, where special arrangements will be made.

PROFILE CODE RETRIEVAL AND SELF-SERVICE OPTIONS

If a Profile Code is lost, candidates can retrieve it by sending the word RESEND via SMS from the same phone number to 55019 or 66019.

To reset a forgotten or lost password, candidates should send PASSWORD followed by their registered email address to 55019 or 66019 using the same phone number.

COMPLAINTS AND TICKETING SYSTEM (FREE SERVICE)

For all complaints related to JAMB processes — including issues with NIN or Profile Code — candidates must create a support ticket at https://www.jamb.gov.ng

. This is done by selecting Quicklinks, then Ticket/Support, and using the email address registered with the Board.

Candidates must provide their name, phone number, nature of the complaint, select the relevant complaint category from the dropdown menu, and include a summary of the issue. Supporting documents should be attached where available.

Complaints submitted by third parties will only be acknowledged, as JAMB does not discuss candidates’ records with other individuals. Letter writing is unnecessary, as all complaints must go through the online ticketing system for proper documentation and swift resolution.

JAMB e-PIN SELLING POINTS

Approved e-PIN outlets include NIPOST, Banks, MMOs, MFBs, and other designated financial institutions.

Participating outlets are responsible for:

• Collecting the candidate’s profile code directly from the candidate
• Accepting payment
• Issuing the e-PIN electronically via SMS
• Processing payment through POS systems
• Providing proof of payment

PAYMENT PROCEDURE

a) Present your Profile Code and pay the required sum of ₦5,700

b) The e-PIN will be sent to the candidate’s registered phone number

IMPORTANT DIRECT ENTRY REGISTRATION AND ADMISSION RULES

a) DE candidates who are not awaiting results must upload their A-Level qualifications, O-Level results, and DE Registration Template at the point of registration. No candidate is allowed to register or upgrade to DE with an awaiting O-Level result.

b) DE candidates will not be processed for admission until all claimed results are uploaded and verified by the awarding institutions on the JAMB e-Facility platform.

c) Candidates awaiting IJMB, JUPEB, or NABTEB A-Level results must upload their Admission Letter and Registration Template during registration.

d) Holders of pre-2020 Cambridge certificates must visit Cambridge for verification. This process may take up to 28 days, after which verification results will be sent to JAMB and reflected on the candidate’s e-Facility profile.

e) Statements of result are accepted only within three (3) years of the date of award, except for NCE, which is valid for one (1) year.

f) Upgrade from UTME to DE is allowed only for candidates who indicated awaiting A-Level results during UTME registration and whose details were properly uploaded in the registration template.

g) Candidates must regularly check their A-Level admission status on the e-Facility portal, where verification status will appear as “CLEARED” or “NOT CLEARED”, including reasons for non-clearance.

ADDITIONAL REGISTRATION GUIDELINES

Candidates are not allowed to register more than once. In the event of an error, corrections must be made through the Board. Submitting multiple applications will invalidate all entries.

Parents, guardians, or any third party are strictly prohibited from handling a candidate’s profile. Candidates who share their password, profile code, or security details with others will be held fully responsible for any unauthorized changes.

MANDATORY DISCLOSURE OF PREVIOUS ADMISSION STATUS

Candidates must declare any previous admission or matriculation by providing details of prior UTME or DE registration, including the year. Failure to disclose or providing false information will result in automatic invalidation of the registration or prior admission.

Candidates who were previously admitted and wish to start afresh in a different institution or programme are allowed to do so, provided full disclosure is made. Non-disclosure of prior admission constitutes an offence.