JAMB Denies Fee Hike as Registration Closes
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dismissed reports of an increase in registration fees for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). In a statement released on Friday, the board described such claims as “entirely unfounded.” Fabian Benjamin, the board’s spokesperson, clarified that the fee structure has remained static since 2019. This stability persists despite the rising operational costs that have forced other public institutions to adjust their pricing. The board’s intervention aims to protect candidates from predatory middlemen during the final hours of registration.
The approved costs are transparent and broken down into several components. A standard UTME application without a mock exam costs N7,200, while those opting for the mock exercise pay N8,700. Direct Entry candidates are charged N5,700. These figures include the application fee, a reading text, bank charges, and service fees for Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres. By publicising this breakdown, JAMB intends to arm parents against “sharp practices” by unscrupulous agents. Any demand for payment above these limits is a violation of the board’s directive.
Registration for candidates who have already purchased their e-PINs is set to conclude on Saturday, 28 February. As of mid-February, over 1.5 million candidates had already successfully registered nationwide. The board has warned that it will not extend the deadline, urging the remaining applicants to complete their biometrics at accredited centres. This annual rush often creates an environment where desperate candidates are easily exploited. JAMB’s latest advisory serves as a final warning to both the public and the operators.
 The board also warns that no centre should charge more than N8,700 for the 2026 UTME with mock. Disciplinary action awaits any CBT centre found to be overcharging or misleading candidates. It urged victims to report erring centres with “credible evidence” to enable immediate sanctions. In previous years, such sanctions have included the suspension or permanent de-accreditation of centres. This move to decentralise enforcement relies heavily on the vigilance of parents and students. It is a necessary friction in a system where the “Nigerian factor” often results in illegal surcharges.
The board reminded the public that the Federal Executive Council actually reduced the application fee from N5,000 to N3,500 back in 2018. The current N7,200 total reflects the addition of mandatory service charges for private CBT owners who host the exams. JAMB maintains that it has absorbed much of the inflationary pressure to keep higher education accessible. Maintaining this price point is a point of pride for the current leadership. It is also a significant administrative challenge in a volatile economy.
Candidates must now focus on the upcoming examination, which is the gatekeeper to Nigerian tertiary institutions. The board’s verified platforms remain the only source for authentic updates on exam dates and centre allocations. Relying on social media hearsay has led many to miss deadlines or pay unnecessary fees in the past. With the registration window shutting, the emphasis shifts from administration to academic preparation. The board’s commitment to transparency will be tested as the examination cycle enters its most critical phase.