JAMB Clarifies No Increase in UTME Registration Fees for 2026

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has categorically stated that there will be no increase in the registration fees for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

In a statement released by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, the board emphasized that the fee structure has remained unchanged since 2019.

Mr. Benjamin mentioned that there have been rumors suggesting an increase in the UTME fees. "The attention of the Board has been drawn to a publication insinuating that the Board has increased its registration fees," he noted in the statement.

The statement further clarified, "The Board wishes to state categorically that this claim is false, misleading, and entirely unfounded."

JAMB also reminded the public that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a reduction in the UTME application fee in 2018, bringing it down from N5,000 to N3,500, a change that was implemented during the 2019 registration period.

In terms of specifics regarding registration costs, JAMB revealed that candidates who do not partake in the mock examination will incur a registration fee of N7,200, while those opting for the mock examination will be required to pay N8,700.

Direct Entry candidates will pay a registration fee of N5,700.

The breakdown of the N7,200 UTME fee includes N3,500 designated for the application, N1,000 for the reading text, N700 as a service charge for the Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre registration, N1,500 for the CBT centre's UTME service, and N500 for bank charges.

Additionally, candidates choosing to sit for the mock examination will pay an extra N1,500 as a CBT mock-UTME centre charge.

In light of the situation, the board has urged prospective students and their guardians to dismiss any unfounded claims regarding fee increases. They encouraged individuals to consult the official advertisements from JAMB to avoid misinformation.

"This will empower them to steer clear of deceit or exploitation by unscrupulous individuals or centers," the board advised.

Moreover, they called on anyone who may have paid fees exceeding the officially sanctioned amounts to report such cases with credible evidence, assuring that investigations would follow and necessary disciplinary actions would be taken against any offending centers.

JAMB reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, and the safeguarding of candidates' interests at all times.