The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has warned accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country against charging candidates above the officially approved N8,700 registration fee for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
In a statement issued on Friday morning in Abuja, the board’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said JAMB had received credible reports indicating that some centres were demanding additional payments from candidates under various unofficial headings, including “service charges,” “system fees,” and “compulsory tutorial levies.”
Benjamin clarified that the total approved cost for the 2026 UTME registration remains N8,700, covering the examination fee and all associated administrative charges as determined by the board in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. He stressed that no CBT centre is authorized to impose extra costs beyond the stipulated amount.
“The board has approved N8,700 as the official registration fee for the 2026 UTME. Any centre found charging above this amount is in direct violation of JAMB’s guidelines and will face strict disciplinary measures,” the statement read.
JAMB disclosed that it has activated monitoring and compliance teams to oversee the ongoing registration process nationwide. According to the board, erring centres risk suspension, withdrawal of accreditation, blacklisting, and possible prosecution if found guilty of financial exploitation.
The board also advised candidates and their parents to be vigilant during the registration process. It urged them to demand official receipts for all payments made and to immediately report any centre demanding more than the approved fee.
Complaints, JAMB said, can be submitted through its official support platforms, including JAMB state offices, its central headquarters in Abuja, and its designated online complaint channels. The board assured candidates that all reports would be treated confidentially and investigated promptly.
Benjamin emphasized that JAMB remains committed to ensuring transparency, fairness, and affordability in the admission process into tertiary institutions across Nigeria. He noted that the UTME serves as a critical gateway for admission into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other higher institutions, and that the integrity of the registration process must be safeguarded.
Registration for the 2026 UTME commenced earlier this month at accredited CBT centres across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The examination is scheduled to hold in April 2026, with hundreds of thousands of candidates expected to participate nationwide.
Education stakeholders have in recent years raised concerns about unauthorized charges by some registration outlets, prompting JAMB to intensify regulatory oversight. The board reiterated that its guidelines are clear and binding on all accredited centres, warning that any attempt to exploit candidates would not be tolerated.
JAMB further appealed to candidates to avoid patronizing unaccredited operators and to verify the accreditation status of any CBT centre before commencing registration. It maintained that protecting candidates from financial exploitation remains a priority as preparations continue for the nationwide examination exercise.
