JAMB RELEASES GUIDELINES FOR 2026 UTME REGISTRATION, WARNS AGAINST COMMON MISTAKES

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued comprehensive guidelines for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration, alongside a list of common errors candidates should avoid.

The announcement, shared on the Board’s official X handle on Sunday, is aimed at helping prospective candidates prepare adequately ahead of the registration exercise.

According to JAMB, candidates must ensure the accuracy of their personal informationsuch as National Identification Number (NIN), email address, and A-Level resultsbefore generating their profile code.

To obtain the code, candidates are required to send their 11-digit NIN via SMS to either 55019 or 66019 using the correct format (e.g., NIN 00000011111). Once generated, the profile code cannot be changed, as the candidate’s biodata is automatically retrieved from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

After generating the code, candidates are expected to proceed to the nearest JAMB office or any accredited CBT centre to complete their registration. The Board advised candidates to purchase their E-PINs only from authorised sources, including banks, approved online platforms, and verified vendors at registration centres.

JAMB further stressed that candidates must use the correct registration template and cross-check all details before final submission. It warned that incorrect or mismatched information could result in serious complications.

The Board urged candidates to resolve any discrepancies such as errors in names, date of birth, gender, or state of origin with NIMC well ahead of registration and to ensure that changes reflect on the NIMC portal before proceeding.

JAMB reminded candidates that GSM numbers and email addresses serve as unique identifiers and must not be shared, changed, or inactive at any stage of the registration process.

Candidates experiencing biometric difficulties are advised to report to the nearest JAMB office, as no CBT centre is permitted to register a candidate by force. They are also advised to insist on a dual screen during registration and confirm the accuracy of their passport photograph and biometric data.

The board also highlighted frequent challenges encountered while generating profile codes:

Error 550/66019: Usually caused by incorrect SMS format; candidates must use the proper command.

Number Already Registered: Indicates the phone number is already linked to an existing profile; candidates should retrieve the original SIM or use a new number.

Unable to Verify NIN: Candidates may need to wait and retry after some time.

The sale of the 2026 UTME form will run from Friday, January 31, 2026, to Saturday, March 8, 2026.