The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued comprehensive guidelines for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration, along with a list of common challenges candidates are likely to face. The announcement, published on JAMB’s official X handle on Sunday, is aimed at helping prospective candidates prepare adequately ahead of the registration exercise.
JAMB advised candidates to ensure that all personal details, such as their National Identification Number (NIN), email address and A-Level results are accurate before generating a profile code. To generate the code, candidates must send their 11-digit NIN to either 55019 or 66019 in the format: NIN 00000011111 to 55019/66019. Once generated, the profile code cannot be changed, as biodata is automatically retrieved from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
Candidates are to proceed to the nearest JAMB office or any accredited CBT centre to complete their registration. They must also purchase their E-PINs only from authorised channels, including banks, approved online platforms or accredited vendors at registration centres. JAMB further advised candidates to use the correct registration template and ensure that all details are accurate before final submission, warning that mismatched data could cause complications.
The board also urged candidates to make all necessary corrections with NIMC early and to confirm that any changes to their name, date of birth, gender or state of origin are reflected on their NIMC portal before registration. It stressed that GSM numbers and email addresses serve as unique identifiers and therefore cannot be changed, shared or reused, and must be active before registration. Candidates experiencing biometric challenges must visit the nearest JAMB office, as CBT centres are not permitted to force biometric capture. JAMB also recommended the use of a dual screen during registration to allow candidates verify their passport photographs and biometrics before submission.
JAMB highlighted several common challenges in the profile code generation process. Errors such as “Error 550/66019” usually indicate an incorrectly formatted request and can be resolved by using the correct command. A “Number Already Registered” message means the phone number is linked to another profile, requiring candidates to retrieve the SIM card or use a different number. Instances where the system is “Unable to Verify NIN” should be resolved by waiting and retrying after some time.
The sale of the 2026 UTME application forms will run from Friday, January 31, 2026, to Saturday, March 8, 2026.
