As qualified candidates who have attained the right prerequisites for admission into the nations tertiary institutions are getting set, the Joint Admissions Matriculation (JAMB), on Monday, hinted that there will be no hike in the current fee regime charged by the Board.

With this development, intending candidates for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and their counterparts seeking Direct Entry (DE) admissions into tertiary institutions would be required to pay N3500 for Computer Based Centre (CBT) fee and N700 as Service Charge.

A statement tagged: “No Likely Increase In UTME/DE Application Fees As JAMB Maintains Stable Cost Regime” published by the Board via jambulletin reads, “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) wishes to inform Nigerians, particularly parents, guardians, and prospective candidates, that the Board has not increased the cost of its application documents, whether for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) or Direct Entry (DE), in the last nine years, rather the Board has reduced the registration fee for prospective candidates within the nine years of the existence of the current administration.

“The Board further assures the public that it is unlikely to increase the cost of application documents for the 2026 UTME/DE exercise, except where it becomes absolutely expedient to do so in the overriding interest of sustaining the integrity and quality of the examination process in the future.

“This position is in line with the continued directive of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, conveyed through the Honourable Minister of Education, that the activities of the Board must at all times be guided by the present administration’s human-face policies, with due consideration for the prevailing economic realities faced by Nigerian families.”

The Board explains that the clarification is to provide a proper guide to members of the public who wish to plan ahead for the education of their children, saying the cost implication for the 2026 exercise remains largely the same as that of the previous year.

The Board advised guardians and parents to make early arrangements and ensure timely registration of their wards.

It warned the public that there will be no extension of the registration period once registration commences.

The statement added, “Despite this downward review of fees, the Board has continued to operate efficiently and prudently, resulting in substantial remittances to the Federal Government over the years. This underscores JAMB’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and effective public-sector financial management.

“JAMB remains committed to fairness, transparency, and affordability while sustaining global best practices in the conduct of its examinations,” the statement. (Daily Independent)

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