How to Register for JAMB 2026/2027: Complete Step by Step Guide for Every Nigerian Student

Every year, millions of Nigerian secondary school leavers begin the most important administrative process of their academic lives: registering for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, commonly known as JAMB or UTME. If you are preparing to write JAMB for the first time or are doing it again after a previous attempt, understanding the registration process from start to finish saves you time, money, and the kind of avoidable stress that trips up thousands of candidates every single year.

This guide walks you through every step of the JAMB registration process in a clear, practical way so that by the time you finish reading, you know exactly what to do, what to bring, where to go, and what to avoid.

What Is JAMB and Why Does It Matter

JAMB is the federal government agency responsible for conducting entrance examinations into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions. The UTME score you obtain determines whether you qualify for admission and which institutions and courses are within your reach. Without completing JAMB registration correctly, you cannot sit the examination, and without the examination, university admission through the conventional route is not possible.

Step One: Buy the JAMB e-PIN

The first thing you need to do is purchase the JAMB registration e-PIN. This is a scratch card or electronic voucher that gives you access to the JAMB registration portal. You can buy the e-PIN from any accredited commercial bank in Nigeria, JAMB accredited centres, or through the JAMB portal directly using a debit card. The current registration fee as set by JAMB is 5,700 naira for the standard UTME registration. This figure may be reviewed for future cycles so always confirm the current fee from the official JAMB website at jamb.gov.ng before making payment.

Step Two: Create a JAMB Profile

Before you can register, you must create a JAMB profile using your National Identification Number or your date of birth if your NIN is not yet available. Go to the JAMB portal at jamb.gov.ng and click on the option to create a new profile. You will need a working email address and a valid phone number to complete this step. Once your profile is created, you will receive a profile code that you will use throughout the registration process. Keep this code safe because you will need it multiple times.

Step Three: Visit an Accredited CBT Centre

JAMB registration is not something you complete entirely from home on your personal device. You must physically visit a JAMB accredited Computer Based Test centre to complete the biometric capture part of your registration. At the centre, your fingerprints will be captured and your photograph will be taken. This biometric data is linked to your profile and examination record to verify your identity on the day of the examination. Attempting to register without this biometric capture is not possible and any registration that bypasses this step is invalid.

Step Four: Fill in Your Registration Details

At the CBT centre, you will fill in your personal details including your full name as it appears on your birth certificate or other official document, your state of origin, your local government area, your preferred examination town, and your next of kin information. You will also select your subject combination at this stage. JAMB requires you to write four subjects: Use of English is compulsory for all candidates, and the other three subjects are chosen based on the course you intend to study.

Step Five: Choose Your Course and Institution

During registration, you will select your first choice institution and your first choice course. You are also required to select a second choice institution and course as a backup. Think carefully about these selections because changing them after registration has been completed requires going through an additional process on the JAMB portal and paying a fee. Select institutions and courses that match your academic strengths and career interests rather than simply following what your friends are choosing.

Step Six: Print Your Examination Slip

Once your registration is complete and payment has been confirmed, log into your JAMB portal account and print your examination slip. This slip contains your examination number, your examination date, your examination centre, and the subjects you will be writing. Check every detail on this slip carefully. If you notice any error in your name, date of birth, or subject combination, report it to JAMB immediately through their helpline or the nearest JAMB office. Do not wait until examination day to discover a problem that could have been corrected earlier.

What Happens After Registration

After registering successfully, your next focus should be preparation for the examination itself. JAMB provides a recommended reading list and past questions that form the basis of the examination content. Use official JAMB materials, past question books from credible publishers, and subject-specific textbooks to build your knowledge across all four subjects. Consistent daily study over several months produces significantly better results than cramming in the final days before the examination.