The 2026 UTME is fast approaching, and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially dropped a major update: It is time to create your profile.
In a weekly bulletin released this Monday, JAMB urged all prospective Direct Entry (DE) and UTME candidates to stop waiting and start the process immediately.
If you are planning to write JAMB this year, here is everything you need to know from the latest update and how to avoid "stories that touch" during registration.
1. The NIN Factor: Check It Before You Use It
The Board emphasized one critical step before you even attempt to create your profile: Verify your National Identification Number (NIN).
JAMB warned that inaccuracies in your NIN data will cause major complications during registration and even on exam day. If your name is spelled wrong on your NIN, it will be spelled wrong on your JAMB profile.
What you should do:
- Check your NIN slip now.
- Ensure your names, date of birth, and other personal details are 100% correct.
- If there is an error, go to NIMC for corrections before you start your JAMB registration.
2. No Room for Mistakes
One of the most serious warnings in the bulletin was about Correction Windows. JAMB stated that opportunities to change your personal information later will be strictly limited.
The takeaway: Do not rush the form filling. Do not assume you can "fix it later." Get it right the first time.
3. Registration Can Start "Any Time"
While the official exam dates are set, the registration portal is gearing up. JAMB noted that registration could kick off at any moment. By creating your profile now, you avoid the website crashes and long queues that happen during the last-minute rush.
4. The Price Tag
Here is some good news: Despite the economic situation, JAMB confirmed that the cost of UTME and DE application documents remains unchanged. The fees are the same as they have been for the past nine years, to keep the exam accessible for every Nigerian student.
What’s Your Next Step?
Getting your profile ready is Step 1. Being ready to score 300+ is Step 2.
While you sort out your NIN and profile, make sure your study game is tight. Use SmarTest to practice past questions, track your speed, and identify your weak topics—whether you are online or offline.
Don’t wait for the exam timetable to start reading. Start SmarTesting today!