JAMB 2026 Direct Entry Registration Begins in Nigeria: Requirements, Fee, Deadline and How to Apply

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has officially opened registration for the 2026 Direct Entry (DE) admission process for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities without writing the UTME.

According to the board, the sale of e-PINs and the registration process will continue until Saturday, April 25, 2026. Candidates interested in Direct Entry admission are required to complete their registration only at designated JAMB State or Zonal Offices across Nigeria.

The official application fee for the 2026 Direct Entry form is ₦5,700.

Direct Entry allows candidates who already possess advanced academic qualifications such as diplomas, A-levels, or degrees to gain admission directly into the 200-level of a university programme.

Direct Entry Requirements for 2026 Admission

To qualify for Direct Entry registration, candidates must meet the minimum academic requirements set by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

Applicants must have at least five O’level credit passes in relevant subjects obtained in not more than two sittings. In addition, candidates must possess any of the following advanced qualifications.

First Degree from a Nigerian university
University Diploma
National Diploma (ND)
Higher National Diploma (HND)
Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE)
IJMB A-Level Certificate
JUPEB A-Level Certificate
NABTEB Advanced National Business Certificate (ANBC)
NABTEB Advanced National Technical Certificate (ANTC)
Cambridge A-Level Certificate
International Baccalaureate certificate
Foreign GCE A-Level
Nigeria French Language Diploma
National Arabic Language Diploma
First Degree obtained from foreign universities
Transnational Foundation Certificates

Candidates should note that awarding institutions are required to forward verification of the certificate directly to JAMB before the registration process can be completed.

Applicants are also advised to verify their Direct Entry qualification before beginning registration to avoid issues during the admission process.

Information Required During Registration

All Direct Entry candidates must provide accurate academic information during registration. These include the following.

Registration or matriculation number from the institution where the qualification was obtained
Subjects studied for the qualification
Name of the awarding institution
Affiliated institution attended if applicable
Year of graduation

Providing incorrect information may affect admission processing.

How to Create a JAMB Profile for 2026 Direct Entry

Every candidate must first create a personal profile before purchasing the Direct Entry registration e-PIN.

A unique mobile phone number is required for the process, and the number can only be used by one candidate.

To generate a profile code, candidates should send their National Identification Number (NIN) by SMS to 55019 or 66019 using their personal phone number.

Type NIN space your 11-digit NIN and send it in this format:

NIN 12345678901

After sending the message, a 10-digit profile code will be sent to the same phone number. Candidates who have previously registered with JAMB will receive the same profile code used in earlier registrations.

The phone number and email address used during profile creation will remain important for future communication with the board.

Candidates should also note that JAMB does not allow a change of SIM card after the profile has been created.

How to Purchase the JAMB Direct Entry e-PIN

Once a profile code has been generated, candidates can proceed to purchase the Direct Entry registration PIN.

The e-PIN is available through approved outlets including.

Banks
Microfinance banks
Mobile money operators
NIPOST offices
Other participating financial institutions

Candidates must present their profile code, make payment of ₦5,700, and the e-PIN will be delivered to their registered phone number via SMS.

Completing Registration at an Accredited CBT Centre

After purchasing the e-PIN, candidates must visit an accredited CBT centre or designated JAMB office to complete their registration.

During registration, the following steps will be carried out.

Submission of profile code and e-PIN
Capture of biometric data including all ten fingerprints
Photograph taken physically at the centre
Printing of the e-registration slip

Biometric verification is mandatory. Candidates who fail biometric verification on the exam day will not be allowed to participate in the examination process.

Important Rules for Direct Entry Candidates

Applicants must upload their O-level results, A-level qualifications, and Direct Entry registration template during registration if their results are already available.

Candidates awaiting A-level results from programmes such as IJMB, JUPEB, or NABTEB must upload their admission letter and registration template.

Direct Entry admission will only be processed after the submitted qualifications have been verified through the JAMB e-Facility platform.

Statements of results may be accepted temporarily, but they must be within three years of issuance, except for NCE results which are valid for one year.

Candidates who registered for UTME earlier may upgrade to Direct Entry only if they indicated that their A-level results were pending at the time of UTME registration.

Retrieval of Lost Profile Code or Password

Candidates who lose their profile code can retrieve it by sending RESEND as a text message from the same registered phone number to 55019 or 66019.

To reset a lost password, candidates should send PASSWORD followed by their registered email address to the same numbers.

Complaint and Support System

For any complaint relating to registration, NIN verification, or profile issues, candidates should submit a support ticket through the official portal of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

Complaints are handled through the board’s online ticketing system, where candidates provide their name, phone number, email address, and details of the issue.

Third-party complaints submitted by parents or guardians are usually not processed since the board communicates directly with the candidate.

Important Warning to Candidates

Candidates must not register more than once. Multiple registrations automatically invalidate all submitted applications.

Applicants are also advised not to share their profile code, password, or security details with anyone, including friends, cybercafé operators, or tutorial centres.

Any alteration made through another person using the candidate’s login details will be treated as the candidate’s responsibility.

Candidates must also disclose any previous admission or matriculation history during registration. Failure to declare prior admission records may lead to cancellation of the application.

The Direct Entry route remains a major admission pathway for candidates with advanced academic qualifications who wish to secure admission into Nigerian universities without sitting for the UTME examination.

Interested applicants are advised to complete their registration before the April 25, 2026 deadline to avoid missing the opportunity for the 2026 admission cycle.