The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released detailed instructions for prospective candidates ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
In an update shared on its official X account, the board said the guidelines are meant to help candidates avoid common registration mistakes and prepare properly before the exercise begins.
According to JAMB, candidates must ensure that their personal details — including National Identification Number (NIN), email address and, where applicable, A-Level results — are accurate before generating a profile code.
To generate the code, candidates are required to send their 11-digit NIN to either 55019 or 66019. Once the profile code is created, it cannot be changed, as the candidate’s information will be automatically retrieved from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
JAMB advised candidates to begin their registration only at approved CBT centres or the nearest JAMB office. E-PINs, it added, should be purchased strictly from authorised banks, online platforms or accredited vendors.
The board also stressed the need for candidates to carefully review all information before final submission, warning that errors could cause serious issues later.
It further urged candidates to:
1. Correct any errors with NIMC early and ensure updates — including name, date of birth, gender and state of origin — reflect on their portal before registration.
2. Use unique and functional email addresses and phone numbers, as these cannot be shared or changed once registration begins.
3. Report any biometric issues at a JAMB office, as no CBT centre is permitted to force fingerprints.
4. Ensure that a dual screen is used during registration and confirm that their passport photograph and biometric details are correctly captured.
JAMB said compliance with the guidelines will help candidates avoid avoidable challenges during and after the registration process.