When is JAMB Registration Starting? (2026 Update & Critical Steps)
When is JAMB Registration Starting? (2026 Update & Critical Steps)
Every year, around this time, the tension in secondary schools across Nigeria is thick enough to cut with a knife. You hear rumors in the hostel, your parents are asking questions, and everyone is confused. The big question on every student’s lip is: when is JAMB registration starting?
If you are panicking because you think you’ve missed it, relax. Take a deep breath.
As a tutor who has watched thousands of students navigate this process (and seen many make avoidable mistakes), I’m here to give you the facts, not the rumors. We are going to look at the dates, the new NIN requirements, and how to avoid “stories that touch” at the CBT center.
The Official Dates: What You Need to Know
Let’s cut to the chase. JAMB usually sticks to a specific window. For the 2026 academic session, the registration portal generally opens in mid-January and runs through to late February.
If you are reading this in late January 2026, registration is likely ongoing right now.
You cannot afford to sleep on this. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is notorious for keeping strict deadlines. Once that portal closes, it usually stays closed. They might give a 2-day grace period if there were server issues, but do you really want to gamble your admission on “maybe”?
For the specific breakdown of the deadline and exam schedules, check out our detailed guide on is JAMB 2026 registration form out. It breaks down the exact timeline so you don’t miss out.
The “NIN” Nightmare: Don’t Let It Stop You
Before you even think about buying the form, you need your National Identification Number (NIN). This isn’t optional. It is mandatory.
Here is where most students get stuck. They wait until the week registration is ending to go to the NIMC center. Then they meet a crowd of 500 people, the network is down, and the officials are cranky.
Don’t be that student.
You need to generate your profile code by sending your NIN to 55019 or 66019. Sometimes, this simple SMS fails, and money is deducted from your airtime without a code being sent back. It’s frustrating, I know. If you are struggling with this, we wrote a step-by-step fix on how to retrieve lost JAMB profile code. It works like magic.
3 Mistakes That Will Cost You Your Admission
I’ve seen brilliant students score 280 and still not get admission. Why? Because the registration process is more than just buying a form. It’s about technical accuracy.
1. Wrong Subject Combination This is the silent killer. You want to study Nursing, but you registered for Biology, Chemistry, and… Geography? JAMB has specific requirements for every course. If your combination is wrong, your score doesn’t matter. The university will reject you. Before you fill that form, please review the official compulsory subjects for Nursing, Medicine, and Law.
2. The “Cafe Man” Error Never, and I mean never, let the Cyber Cafe operator fill your form while you just sit there pressing your phone. They are human. They make mistakes. I had a student whose gender was filled as “Female” instead of “Male” because the operator was distracted. Correcting that data later is expensive and stressful. Open your eyes. Check the screen.
3. Waiting for the “Last Week” Rush You might think you have time. But in the last week of registration, the JAMB servers struggle under the traffic. The banks are full. The CBT centers are chaotic. According to reports from The Guardian Nigeria Education News, server glitches are common during peak periods. Save yourself the headache and register early.
How Much Does It Cost?
The jamb firm costs ₦7,200 without mock and ₦8,700 with mock
You should budget around N7,000 to N8000 in total to cover transport and any extra charges the cafe might add (even though they aren’t supposed to). Always hold a little extra cash just in case.
What Should You Do After Registering?
Once you have your slip, the real work begins. Don’t fold your arms and wait for the exam date. The syllabus is huge. Start studying immediately. And when I say study, I don’t mean staring at your book while sleeping. You need a strategy.
You should be answering at least 40 past questions daily. Get familiar with the CBT interface. For the best materials to use, look at our list of best textbooks for JAMB 2026 preparation.
Also, keep an eye on the official JAMB website for any sudden changes to the timetable or reprint dates.
Final Thoughts
Knowing when is JAMB registration starting is just the first step. The goal isn’t just to register; the goal is to secure admission. Avoid the rush. verify your data, and pick the right subjects.
If you have questions or you are confused about your subject combo, drop a comment below. I reply to everyone because I don’t want you to make the same mistakes others made last year.
Go and smash it!
