The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has maintained its dominance in the news on education as Nigeria is preparing to take the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Recently, the JAMB as well as the Federal Ministry of Education have provided key clarifications on the registration process in 2026, cut-off marks, cut-off scores, minimum admission requirements, as well as the CAPS’s admission procedure.
If you’re an undergraduate student who is planning to sign up for the JAMB 2026 exam, This is the latest information today — compiled from official announcements as well as reliable reports on education.
What’s New in JAMB 2026?
The most recent JAMB 2026 update focuses on admissions guidelines, JAMB registration readiness, and the continuing significance of JAMB’s role in Nigeria’s higher education admission process. Let’s look at the most popular stories that are making the rounds today.
1. FG Confirms JAMB Still Mandatory for Admission
The Federal Government has confirmed the truth about rumours that JAMB will not be necessary as a prerequisite for admission to Nigerian universities.
As per the Ministry of Education, JAMB is the sole acknowledged organisation to administer UTME and process admissions across the country.
“Candidates must continue to go through JAMB’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for all tertiary admissions,” –Ministry of Education, statement from October 20, 2025.
This clarification comes in response to false claims that schools could accept students directly, without JAMB. The candidates are urged not to believe such false information and sign up only through the official JAMB portal – www.jamb.gov.ng.
2. New Admission Age Policy: Minimum of 16 Years
The Federal Government has set 16 years as the minimum age for admission to polytechnics, universities, and colleges of higher education beginning with the academic year 2025/2026 – and it will remain in place until the JAMB exam in 2026.
This is a reference to:
- Students who are younger than 16 at the date of admission cannot be considered by a majority of institutions.
- Some exceptions can be granted only to exceptional students that have been granted waivers from the Ministry of Education.
The schools and parents are encouraged to ensure that students are in compliance with the minimal age threshold prior to the start of registration in January 2026.
3. JAMB 2026 Cut-Off Marks Expected to Follow 2025 Pattern
To be used for 2025/2026, the session of 2025/2026, JAMB approved the following minimal cut-off marks:
- Universities: 150
- Polytechnics: 100
- Colleges of Education: 100
Analysts in the field of education predict that cut-off scores for the JAMB exam in 2026 will remain the same; however, individual universities could decide to set greater departmental thresholds dependent on their level of competition.
Examples: Courses such as law, medicine, engineering, and medicine generally require 200+ marks for the JAMB UTME.
4. Universities Begin Early Admission Processing via JAMB CAPS
Top universities, such as those at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the University of Ibadan (UI), have sent out warnings to students in 2025/2026 to make sure they check their CAPS portals for JAMB frequently.
Some institutions are moving applicants to other programs or waiting for acceptance from JAMB to publish their admission list.
This means this indicates that CAPS (Central Admission Processing System) remains the official channel for accepting or denying offers until 2026.
Action Tip:
Log into the JAMB CAPS website regularly to keep track of your admission status and react promptly to any changes.
5. JAMB 2026 Registration Portal to Open by January
The JAMMB 2026 registration portal is scheduled to be open in the middle of January 2026 in accordance with the patterns of scheduling within the past years.
Candidates are able to:
- Create their profile code for JAMB with your NIN.
- Buy the electronic PIN from a trusted vendor or from banks.
- You can only register at CBT centres that have been approved by the government.
Registration for the mock exam will be part of this time.
To avoid any last-minute problems, candidates must:
- Check that they have their NIN in use.
- Make sure you have used a current email address as well as a phone number.
- Take every result from the O’level prior to registering.
JAMB 2026 Timeline (Expected Schedule)
Activity | Date | Status |
Sale of JAMB 2026 Form | The JAMB 2026 UTME form will be on sale from Friday, January 31st, 2026, until Saturday, March 8th, 2026. | Upcoming |
JAMB Mock Exam | March, 2026 | Pending |
Main UTME Exam | April, 2026 | Scheduled |
Result Release | May 2026 | Expected |
Note: JAMB will publish the official timetable by December 2025.
Key Warnings for 2026 Candidates
- Beware of false information: Always verify updates on the official website of JAMB or other verified educational platforms such as universities.ng.
- Do not sign up with agents that are not authorized — only authorised CBT centres can be registered.
- Secure your profile code and your ePIN.
- Beware of scammers that claim to offer “special centres” or “score upgrades”.
Frequently Asked Questions (JAMB 2026 News)
Q1: Is JAMB still required for university admission in 2026?
A: Yes. The Federal Government confirmed that JAMB remains mandatory for all tertiary admissions.
Q2: What is the minimum age for JAMB 2026 admission?
A: The minimum age is 16 years as approved by the Ministry of Education.
Q3: When will JAMB 2026 registration start?
A: It is expected to begin around January 15, 2026.
Q4: What is the cut-off mark for JAMB 2026?
A: Likely 150 for universities and 100 for polytechnics/colleges, pending official confirmation.
Q5: Where can I check JAMB admission updates?
A: Visit efacility.jamb.gov.ng or universities.ng for real-time updates.
Q6: Can I register for JAMB 2026 without NIN?
A: No. A valid National Identification Number (NIN) is compulsory.
Q7: When will the JAMB 2026 mock exam hold?
A: Tentatively on February 22, 2026.
Q8: Has JAMB 2026 timetable been released?
A: The official timetable will be released by December 2025.
Q9: Can I use last year’s ePIN for JAMB 2026?
A: No. Each JAMB session requires a new ePIN.
Q10: How do I stay updated on JAMB news?
A: Follow universities.ng and JAMB’s verified social media handles for daily updates.
Conclusion
Today, JAMB 2026 is still a vital requirement for all students who want to gain admission to Nigerian higher educational institutions. The government’s confirmation of the role played by JAMB, as well as the age policy and the likely January registration date, are the main highlights of the most recent information.
To keep up, start preparation now. Study through the syllabus of the JAMB 2026 and keep your documentation prepared, and keep an eye on universities. ng for verified updated information and guidance.
