Is JAMB 2026 Registration Form Out? 5 Essential Updates & Dates to Avoid Missing Out

Let’s cut right to the chase because I know your heart skips a beat every time you see a notification about JAMB.

No, the JAMB 2026 registration form is not out yet.

If you see anyone selling a form right now or asking you to pay for “early registration slots,” run. They are scammers trying to eat your hard-earned money. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has not announced the official commencement date for the 2026 UTME sales just yet.

But here is the problem: waiting until the form is officially out before you start preparing your documents is a rookie mistake. By then, the queues at the CBT centers will be long enough to reach from Lagos to Ibadan, and the network will be “fluctuating” (you know the drill).

So, while we wait for the official whistle, let’s get you prepared so you aren’t running around like a headless chicken when the portal opens.

The Prediction Game: When Will the Form Actually Be Out?

We can make a very strong guess based on how JAMB has operated in the last few years.

Usually, the sales of forms begin in late December or early January. For the 2025 set, sales started quite early in the year. It is highly likely that the JAMB 2026 registration will kick off in January 2026.

You should keep a close eye on the Official JAMB Website or their Twitter handle. They don’t do hidden announcements; it will be all over the news.

The “NIN” Wahala: Sort This Out Now

I cannot stress this enough. If you don’t have your National Identity Number (NIN), you technically don’t exist to JAMB.

Remember the stress of previous years? Students sleeping at NIMC centers just to get a slip? Don’t be that student.

• If you have a NIN: Check if the name matches your O’Level documents exactly. A mismatch of “Abdul” vs “Abdullahi” can cost you your admission.

• If you don’t have a NIN: Go to a NIMC center today. Not tomorrow. Today.

Issues with NIN integration are the number one reason students miss the registration deadline. You can check the NIMC Official Website for enrollment centers near you.

Profile Code Nightmares: How to Avoid “Network Error”

Once the form is out, the first thing you will do is generate a profile code. This is usually done by sending your NIN to 55019 or 66019.

Here is where it gets messy. You send the message, and… nothing happens. Or you get an error. To avoid this frustration:

1. Have Airtime: Don’t send the SMS with zero naira balance. It costs N50. Have at least N100 on your phone.

2. Use the Right SIM: Use a SIM card that has never been used for JAMB registration before. If you used it last year, you might just retrieve your old profile code, which is fine if you are retaking, but be careful not to mix things up.

The Cost Breakdown: What’s the Damage?

Money can be tight, so it helps to know what to budget. Based on the previous year’s prices, you should budget around N6,000 to N7,000 in total.

Here is how the money usually splits:

• UTME/DE Registration Fee: ~N3,500

• Reading Text (The Novel): ~N500

• CBT Centre Service Charge: ~N700

• Bank Charges: ~N1,000 (roughly)

Keep this cash handy. Don’t let “insufficient funds” be the reason you register late.

Scam Alert: Spotting the Fakes

Every year, thousands of Nigerian students fall for “runs” or fake registration sites.

• Fake Websites: They look like the JAMB site but the URL is weird (e.g., https://www.google.com/search?q=jamb-registration-portal.com).

• Cybercafe Touts: Guys hanging around the CBT center claiming they can “fast track” your registration for an extra N2k.

Don’t do it. JAMB has accredited CBT centers. Only register there. You can find the list of accredited centers on reputable education news platforms like The Guardian Nigeria Education Section. If a center isn’t on the list, don’t step foot in there.

Steps to Take While You Wait

Don’t just sit there scrolling through TikTok.

1. Pick Your Course and Institution: Don’t wait until you are at the cafe to decide. Do you want UNILAG or OAU? Know their cut-off marks.

2. Start Studying: The syllabus rarely changes drastically. Start crushing those past questions now.

3. Check Your O’Level Results: Ensure your WAEC or NECO results are uploaded correctly if you are not using awaiting results.

The form isn’t out yet, but the race has already started. Be the smart student who is ready on Day 1, not the one sweating in a queue on the deadline day.