JAMB commences 2026 direct entry registration
JAMB commences 2026 direct entry registration, opening a new application window for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities through the Direct Entry pathway for the 2026/2027 academic session.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) confirmed that the sale of Direct Entry (DE) application documents and the vending of electronic registration pins began on Monday, March 2, 2026, and will continue until April 25, 2026. 
The Board said the exercise is part of the broader admission process coordinated annually to place qualified candidates into universities, polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education across the country. 
In simple terms, JAMB commences 2026 direct entry registration for candidates who already possess advanced qualifications and wish to secure admission directly into the second year of degree programmes in Nigerian universities.
How Direct Entry works in Nigeria
Direct Entry is designed as an alternative admission route for candidates who have already completed higher-level qualifications beyond secondary school.
Typical qualifications accepted under the Direct Entry category include:
• National Diploma (ND)
• Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE)
• Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB)
• Higher National Diploma (HND)
• Other recognized advanced academic credentials.
Candidates admitted through Direct Entry usually begin their university studies from the 200 level, bypassing the first year typically required for UTME candidates.
Because of this pathway, JAMB commences 2026 direct entry registration each year to ensure candidates with post-secondary credentials can transition into degree programmes without repeating the entire admission process.
Where registration will take place
One of the key features of the exercise is the location of registration.
Unlike the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration, which is conducted at accredited Computer-Based Test centres nationwide, the Board has specified that Direct Entry registration will be conducted exclusively at JAMB state and zonal offices. 
The policy is intended to strengthen verification procedures and ensure that certificates submitted by applicants are properly authenticated before admission processing begins.
In effect, JAMB commences 2026 direct entry registration under stricter supervision to reduce the risk of forged academic credentials entering the admission system.
Timeline for the 2026 admission cycle
The Direct Entry registration exercise comes shortly after the closure of UTME registration for the same admission cycle.
According to the official timeline:
• UTME registration ran from January 26 to February 28, 2026. 
• The Direct Entry application window opened on March 2, 2026. 
• The Direct Entry registration deadline is April 25, 2026. 
The Board has urged prospective applicants to complete their registration early to avoid last-minute congestion at JAMB offices.
The development means that JAMB commences 2026 direct entry registration barely days after concluding the UTME registration window, ensuring continuity in the admission process.
Cost of Direct Entry registration
JAMB also announced the cost structure for the 2026 application process.
For Direct Entry candidates, the e-PIN for registration is priced at ₦5,700, covering the application document, reading materials, registration charges and associated processing fees. 
The Board said the price remains unchanged from previous admission cycles, part of its policy to maintain affordability for applicants seeking tertiary education.
As a result, JAMB commences 2026 direct entry registration under the same fee structure used in earlier exercises.
Key steps in the registration process
Candidates applying through the Direct Entry route are required to follow several steps before their registration can be completed.
These include:
1. Generating a JAMB profile using the candidate’s National Identification Number (NIN).
2. Purchasing the Direct Entry e-PIN from approved vendors.
3. Visiting a JAMB state or zonal office for registration.
4. Submitting academic credentials and personal details.
5. Completing biometric verification and printing the registration slip.
Biometric authentication is a critical stage because it ensures that each candidate’s identity is verified during the registration process. 
Through this system, JAMB commences 2026 direct entry registration with safeguards designed to prevent impersonation and registration irregularities.
https://ogelenews.ng/jamb-commences-2026-direct-entry-registration
Why the Direct Entry pathway matters
Nigeria’s university admission system receives millions of applicants each year, making alternative entry routes increasingly important.
Direct Entry provides an opportunity for graduates of polytechnics, colleges of education and advanced programmes to transition into university degree programmes without repeating earlier stages of academic study.
Education analysts say this pathway also supports the country’s broader goal of promoting academic mobility and flexible progression between tertiary institutions.
Consequently, JAMB commences 2026 direct entry registration not only as an administrative exercise but also as a key part of Nigeria’s tertiary education framework.
What prospective applicants should watch
With the registration window now open, prospective candidates should pay attention to several important issues:
• Ensuring their National Identification Number details match their academic records.
• Uploading authentic certificates during registration.
• Completing registration before the April 25 deadline.
• Monitoring the JAMB portal for updates regarding admission processes.
Education stakeholders say early registration reduces stress and prevents complications that often arise during the final days of application windows.
As the process unfolds, JAMB commences 2026 direct entry registration with the expectation that thousands of qualified candidates will apply for admission into universities nationwide.
The bigger picture
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has administered Nigeria’s centralised admission process since its establishment in 1978, coordinating entrance examinations and admission placements for tertiary institutions across the country. 
Through this system, the Board ensures that admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education follows a standardized procedure that applies nationwide.
Now that JAMB commences 2026 direct entry registration, the next stage of Nigeria’s annual admission cycle has begun—one that will ultimately determine which candidates secure places in higher institutions for the 2026/2027 academic year.
https://punchng.com/jamb-commences-2026-direct-entry-registration
