The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released comprehensive guidelines for the registration of candidates for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), outlining procedures applicants must follow and issues they may encounter during the process. The guidelines were issued on Sunday through the Board’s official X handle.
JAMB said candidates must ensure that all personal information, particularly their National Identification Number (NIN), email address, mobile phone number and A-Level results, is accurate before generating a profile code. To create the code, applicants are required to send their 11-digit NIN in the correct format to either 55019 or 66019. Once generated, a profile code cannot be changed, as the candidate’s biodata is automatically pulled from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database.
The Board explained that candidates are expected to visit a JAMB office or any accredited CBT centre to complete the registration. It advised applicants to purchase their E-PINs only from authorised banks, approved online platforms or accredited vendors at registration centres. Candidates were also urged to verify every detail on their registration template before final submission, as inaccurate or mismatched information could create complications later in the admission process.
JAMB encouraged candidates who require corrections to their biodata with NIMC to complete such updates early and confirm that the changes reflect on their profile before attempting UTME registration. It stressed that mobile phone numbers and email addresses used during registration serve as unique identifiers and should therefore not be shared or changed midway.
The Board also stated that candidates experiencing biometric difficulties must visit the nearest JAMB office for proper resolution, noting that no CBT centre is permitted to forcefully register any candidate whose biometrics cannot be captured. It added that CBT centres must use dual screens during registration to allow applicants verify that their passport photographs and biometric details have been captured correctly.
The Board noted that some of the common challenges candidates face while generating profile codes include incorrectly formatted requests, previously used mobile numbers and temporary delays in NIN verification. It said error responses such as “Error 550/66019” usually arise from the wrong command format, while the “Number Already Registered” message indicates that a phone number has been used for an earlier profile.
JAMB advised candidates to retrieve the old SIM card or use a different phone number in such cases. It also noted that delays in NIN validation may require candidates to wait and retry.
JAMB announced that the sale of forms for the 2026 UTME will begin on Friday, January 31, 2026, and close on Saturday, March 8, 2026. The Board urged candidates to follow the guidelines closely to avoid disruptions and ensure a smooth registration process.
