The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB has called on candidates who paid more than the approved registration fees for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination to report the centres involved, assuring that erring operators would face sanctions.
In a statement issued on Friday, JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, dismissed claims that the board had increased its registration fees, describing such reports as false and misleading.
“The Board appeals to any candidate who has paid above the officially approved fees to promptly report such centres with credible evidence,” Benjamin said.
“This will enable us to investigate and take immediate disciplinary action against any centre found to be overcharging or engaging in sharp practices.”
He clarified that the approved fees remain unchanged.
According to him, Direct Entry candidates are to pay ₦5,700; UTME candidates without mock examination ₦7,200; while those opting for the mock examination are to pay ₦8,700.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the approved registration fees remain as follows: Direct Entry – ₦5,700; UTME only (without mock) – ₦7,200; UTME with mock – ₦8,700,” he stated.
The board explained that the fee structure has been consistent since 2019, despite rising operational costs. It recalled that the Federal Executive Council had earlier approved a reduction in the UTME application fee from ₦5,000 to ₦3,500, effective from the 2019 registration exercise.
Providing a breakdown of the charges, JAMB listed ₦3,500 for application, ₦1,000 for the reading text, ₦700 as CBT centre registration service charge, ₦1,500 as CBT centre UTME service charge, ₦500 for bank charges, and ₦1,500 for the optional mock examination.
The board urged parents and candidates to be cautious of individuals or centres attempting to exploit them.
“The attention of the Board has been drawn to a publication insinuating that the Board has increased its registration fees. This claim is false, misleading and entirely unfounded,” Benjamin said.
He advised candidates to rely only on information released through JAMB’s verified platforms and official advertisements.
“Candidates are strongly advised to carefully read the Board’s official advertisement so as not to be misled or exploited by dishonest individuals or centres,” he added.
JAMB also noted that while the sale of e-PINs for the 2026 UTME has closed, registration at accredited Computer-Based Test centres for candidates who had already purchased their e-PINs will end on February 28.
As of February 17, the board disclosed that over 1.5 million candidates had successfully registered nationwide.
