TundeJAMB Direct Entry registration 2026 is ongoing and the deadline is Saturday, 25th April 2026. The form costs ₦5,700 and registration must be completed in person at any JAMB State or Zonal office nationwide, it cannot be done from home.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed that both ePIN vending and the registration exercise will close on that date, with no indication of an extension. If you hold an A-level, HND, NCE, First Degree, or any other approved post-secondary qualification and want to gain university admission at 200 or 300 level in 2026, this guide covers every step you need from generating your Profile Code to completing biometric capture at the JAMB office.
JAMB Direct Entry 2026 registration is open. Deadline: 25th April 2026. Cost: ₦5,700. To register, send your NIN to 55019 or 66019 to get your Profile Code, purchase your ePIN at any bank, NIPOST, or MMO outlet, then visit your nearest JAMB State or Zonal office for biometric capture and registration. Pre-verify your DE qualification before visiting the office.
What Is JAMB Direct Entry 2026?
JAMB Direct Entry (DE) is the registration pathway for candidates who already hold post-secondary qualifications such as A-levels, HND, NCE, or a First Degree and wish to gain university admission at 200 level or 300 level, bypassing the standard UTME entry route into 100 level. Rather than sitting the JAMB Computer Based Test (CBT), DE candidates are assessed based on their existing advanced qualifications and admitted directly into higher levels of undergraduate programmes.
The 2026 Direct Entry exercise is administered by JAMB and follows a distinct registration process from UTME. Candidates pay the same ₦5,700 registration fee but do not sit a CBT examination. Instead, their qualifications must be verified directly by the awarding institution on JAMB’s e-Facility platform before admission can be processed.
This verification step is mandatory, no DE candidate will be processed for admission until their claimed qualification is uploaded and verified by the awarding institution.
This is why JAMB strongly advises all Direct Entry candidates to pre-verify their DE qualification before attempting to complete their registration. Starting the pre-verification process early especially for Cambridge A-level certificates issued before 2020, which require up to 28 days for verification is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid delays.
JAMB Direct Entry Registration Deadline and Cost 2026
How much is the JAMB Direct Entry form in 2026, and when does registration close? Here are the confirmed key dates and costs for the 2026 Direct Entry exercise:
- Registration opens: Ongoing (as of March 2026)
- Registration and ePIN vending closes: Saturday, 25th April 2026
- Registration fee: ₦5,700 (paid at point of ePIN purchase)
- Registration venue: JAMB State and Zonal offices only — nationwide
Do not wait until the closing date. JAMB offices across states experience significant congestion in the final days of any registration window. Begin your Profile Code generation and ePIN purchase now, and visit the JAMB office as early as possible to avoid long queues and last-minute technical complications.
Important: Registration cannot be done online from home or at a CBT centre independently. You must physically attend a JAMB State or Zonal office for biometric capture to complete your registration.
JAMB Direct Entry Requirements 2026
Who qualifies for JAMB Direct Entry 2026? To be eligible, you must hold a minimum of 5 O’Level credit passes plus at least one approved Advanced-level or equivalent post-secondary qualification. Here is the full breakdown of what is required.
O’Level Requirements
Every Direct Entry candidate regardless of what advanced qualification they hold must have a minimum of five (5) SSCE credit passes obtained at not more than two sittings. At least two of these credits must be at the Principal or Advanced level. Accepted examination bodies include WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, and GCE.
Note that no DE candidate is permitted to register with an awaiting O’Level result status. Your O’Level results must already be available and uploadable at the point of registration. If your O’Level results are not yet out, you are not eligible to register for Direct Entry at this time.
Accepted A-Level and Equivalent Qualifications for Direct Entry
In addition to the O’Level requirement, you must hold at least one of the following approved advanced or post-secondary qualifications to qualify for JAMB Direct Entry 2026:
- A-Level Certificate from IJMB (Interim Joint Matriculation Board)
- A-Level Certificate from JUPEB (Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board)
- NABTEB Advanced National Business Certificate (ANBC)
- NABTEB Advanced National Technical Certificate (ANTC)
- NCE — Nigeria Certificate in Education
- Higher National Diploma (HND)
- National Diploma (ND) — accepted for up to 2024 intake only; this qualification has a specific intake year restriction
- First Degree from a Nigerian University
- University Diploma
- Nigeria French Language Diploma
- National Arabic Language Diploma
- First Degree from a foreign university
- Cambridge A-Level
- International Baccalaureate (foreign certificates only)
- Foreign GCE A-Level
- Trans-national Foundation Certificates
If you hold an ND and obtained it in or before 2024, confirm your eligibility carefully before registering, JAMB has placed an intake year restriction on this qualification category.
Pre-Verification Requirement
This is one of the most critical and most overlooked requirements for JAMB Direct Entry 2026. All awarding institutions are required to forward verification of your qualification to JAMB before your registration can be completed and before you can be processed for admission. JAMB calls this the pre-verification process, and it must happen before not after you visit the JAMB office to register.
To check the status of your qualification verification, log in to your JAMB e-Facility profile. Your A-level admission status will show either “CLEARED” or “NOT CLEARED“, along with the reasons for non-clearance if applicable. Do not proceed to the JAMB office until your qualification shows as CLEARED.
Candidates with pre-2020 Cambridge A-level certificates must contact Cambridge directly to initiate verification, JAMB does not handle this on your behalf. Cambridge verification takes up to 28 days from the date of request, after which Cambridge forwards the result to JAMB and it is reflected in your e-Facility profile. If you hold a pre-2020 Cambridge certificate, start this process immediately.
Information You Must Provide at the Point of Registration
What information do JAMB officials need from you when you visit the State office? At the point of Direct Entry registration, all DE candidates must provide the following five pieces of information. Arrive at the JAMB office with all five ready, officials cannot process your registration without them.
- Registration or Matriculation Number of the previous school or institution where your DE qualification was obtained
- Subject(s) of your qualification
- Awarding Institution, the body that issued your certificate (e.g., WAEC, NABTEB, your university)
- Affiliated Institution actually attended where applicable, the college or polytechnic you physically attended even if affiliated to another body
- Year of graduation
Write all five down or save them on your phone before leaving home. A wasted trip to the JAMB office because of missing information is one of the most avoidable registration mistakes DE candidates make.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Register for JAMB Direct Entry 2026
How do you complete the JAMB Direct Entry registration process from start to finish? Follow these five steps in order. Do not skip or reorder any step, each one depends on the previous.
Step 1: Send Your NIN to Generate a Profile Code
Every candidate requires a unique phone (SIM) number for the registration process. One SIM can only be used by one candidate. Using your personal GSM number, send your National Identification Number (NIN) as a text message to 55019 or 66019 in this exact format:
NIN [space] your 11-digit NIN
Example: NIN 00123456789
A 10-character Profile Code will be sent back to your phone via SMS. This Profile Code is permanent, it remains the same for all your present and future transactions with JAMB, and returning candidates from previous years will receive the same code on the same number previously used.
A few critical rules about your SIM: do not use a postpaid line or a special bundle package, these do not work for JAMB SMS transactions unless specially loaded with credit. If you purchased your SIM specifically for this registration and do not use it regularly, take advantage of your network’s Keep My Number (KMN) facility, which keeps the SIM alive and prevents it from being reissued to another person for an initial period of 3 years, renewable afterwards.
Save your Profile Code, the email address you registered with, and your SIM number somewhere safe. JAMB will not entertain any request to change your SIM number after your profile has been created, and you will need these details for every future transaction with the Board.
Step 2: Purchase Your ePIN for ₦5,700
With your Profile Code in hand, visit any of the following authorized ePIN outlets to pay ₦5,700 and receive your ePIN:
- NIPOST offices nationwide
- Participating commercial banks
- Mobile Money Operators (MMOs)
- Microfinance Banks (MFBs)
- USSD Partners and other participating financial institutions
At the outlet, present your Profile Code directly from your phone. The outlet will collect your Profile Code, process your payment through their POS system, and deliver your ePIN via SMS to your registered phone number. The ePIN is sent electronically, the outlet does not dictate or write down your code for you. Keep your ePIN confidential and do not share it with anyone.
Do not purchase an ePIN from roadside vendors, individuals on social media, WhatsApp agents, or any unofficial source. These are fraudulent operations, JAMB ePINs are only sold through the authorized financial outlets listed above.
Step 3: Visit Your JAMB State or Zonal Office
JAMB Direct Entry registration 2026 must be completed in person at a JAMB State or Zonal office. This is not negotiable remote or home-based completion of DE registration is not permitted. Locate your nearest JAMB State office and plan your visit well ahead of the 25th April 2026 deadline.
Bring the following to the JAMB office on the day of your visit:
- Your Profile Code (saved on your phone or written down)
- Your ePIN (received via SMS)
- All qualification documents for upload — O’Level certificate(s), A-level or equivalent certificate, and DE Registration Template
- Your five pieces of registration information (see section above)
- Your NIN slip
Step 4: Biometric Capture and Photograph
At the JAMB office, officials will capture your biometrics all ten fingerprints and take your photograph digitally. Do not bring a passport photograph, JAMB captures your photo at the point of registration using their own equipment. Submitted or external passport photographs are not accepted.
You must successfully capture at least two fingers for the biometric registration to be valid. Once your biometrics are captured successfully, any of your two registered fingers can be used to print your registration slip or authenticate future transactions on your JAMB profile. Fingerprint verification will be required for every subsequent transaction with JAMB on your profile.
Candidates with peculiar biometric challenges such as worn fingerprints or medical conditions affecting fingerprint capture can only be registered at JAMB National and State offices. If this applies to you, contact your JAMB State office in advance to make arrangements before visiting.
Step 5: Print Your e-Registration Slip
Successful biometric capture authorizes you to print your JAMB e-Registration Slip. This slip is your official proof of completed Direct Entry registration. Print it immediately and keep it safe, do not fold, damage, or misplace it. Your e-Registration Slip contains your registration details, biometric reference, and confirmation that your application has been received by JAMB.
Your fingerprint verification will be required for any further transaction with JAMB on your profile going forward, so ensure your biometric capture is clean and confirmed before leaving the JAMB office.
Documents and Qualifications to Upload at Registration
What must you upload at the point of JAMB Direct Entry registration 2026? The document upload requirements depend on your qualification status on the day of registration. Here is a clear breakdown:
If you are NOT awaiting any results, you must upload all three of the following at the point of registration:
- Your A-level or equivalent DE qualification certificate
- Your O’Level result(s)
- Your DE Registration Template
No candidate is allowed to register for Direct Entry or upgrade from UTME to DE with an awaiting O’Level result status. Your O’Level results must be fully available and uploadable on the day you visit the JAMB office.
If you are awaiting A-level results only (IJMB, JUPEB, or NABTEB), you must upload the following at the point of registration:
- Your Admission Letter for the IJMB, JUPEB, or NABTEB programme
- Your DE Registration Template
You will not be processed for admission until your A-level results are released, uploaded, and verified by the awarding institution on JAMB’s e-Facility platform. Check your e-Facility profile regularly for the verification status.
On Statements of Result: A Statement of Result is accepted in lieu of the original certificate only within 3 years of the date of award. The only exception is NCE, for which the Statement of Result is accepted for 1 year only from the date of award.
On upgrading from UTME to DE: Upgrading from UTME to DE is only available to candidates whose A-level results had not been released at the time of their UTME registration AND who indicated at that point that they were awaiting A-level results. The particulars of the awaited qualification must have been supplied and included in their uploaded UTME registration template. If you did not indicate this at UTME registration, you cannot upgrade to DE.
How to Retrieve a Lost Profile Code or Reset Your Password
Lost your JAMB Profile Code or forgotten your password? Here is how to recover both without visiting a JAMB office:
To retrieve a lost Profile Code: Send the word RESEND as a text message from your registered mobile number to 55019 or 66019. Your Profile Code will be resent to that same number via SMS.
To reset a lost or forgotten password: Send the word PASSWORD followed by a space and then your registered email address, from your registered mobile number, to 55019 or 66019.
Example: PASSWORD yourname@email.com
Remember: JAMB does not entertain requests for SIM number changes after profile creation. Your registered SIM number is permanently tied to your profile. If you lose or damage that SIM, the recovery process becomes significantly more complex — protect your SIM carefully throughout the registration period and beyond.
Important Rules Every DE Candidate Must Know
Violating any of the following rules can lead to outright disqualification, invalidation of your registration, or cancellation of a previous admission. Read each one carefully before you begin the registration process.
One registration only. Candidates are not permitted to register more than once for the same exercise. If an error occurs at any point during your registration, report it to JAMB and request a correction, do not purchase a new ePIN or attempt a fresh registration. Submitting duplicate applications automatically voids all of them.
No proxy registration. Parents, guardians, relatives, tutorial teachers, and third-party agents are not permitted to transact any business on a candidate’s JAMB profile. Any candidate who shares their password, Profile Code, or ePIN with another person for any reason — is solely liable for any alteration, fraud, or error that results from that sharing. JAMB is explicit on this: group or school-based registration is prohibited and most candidates who use it regret it afterwards.
Compulsory disclosure of previous admission status. All candidates must declare their previous registration details and matriculation status at the point of registration. If you were previously admitted to a university and want to change institution or start afresh in a different programme, you are permitted to do so but you must disclose your prior admission. Failure to declare a previous admission automatically invalidates your current registration and any admission attached to it.
DND does not block JAMB messages. By purchasing the ePIN, you automatically consent to receive SMS messages from JAMB via 55019 or 66019, even if you have the “Do Not Disturb” (DND) feature activated on your line. Do not deactivate DND expecting this to affect JAMB communication — it does not.
Complaints from third parties are not entertained. JAMB does not discuss any candidate’s details with parents, agents, or other third parties. Only the candidate can file a complaint or request support on their profile.
Where to Buy the JAMB Direct Entry ePIN 2026
Where exactly can you buy the JAMB Direct Entry ePIN in 2026? The ₦5,700 ePIN is available at any of the following authorized outlets nationwide:
- NIPOST (Nigerian Postal Service) offices
- Participating commercial banks
- Mobile Money Operators (MMOs)
- Microfinance Banks (MFBs)
- USSD Partners and other participating financial institutions
The outlet is responsible for collecting your Profile Code directly from your phone, processing your payment, and vending your ePIN electronically via SMS. You should never be asked to dictate or copy the ePIN code at the outlet, it is delivered automatically to your registered number.
Avoid purchasing from any individual seller, roadside agent, WhatsApp group, or Telegram channel claiming to sell JAMB ePINs. These are fraudulent operations. Only the authorized financial outlets above are licensed to sell JAMB ePINs.
How to File a Complaint or Get Support from JAMB
If you encounter any issue during the JAMB Direct Entry registration process including NIN problems, Profile Code errors, ePIN delivery failures, or biometric complications, here is the correct way to get help:
Visit www.jamb.gov.ng, go to Quicklinks, and select Ticket/Support. Log in with the email address registered with JAMB and provide your name, phone number, a clear description of the problem, the relevant complaint category from the dropdown menu, and any supporting documents if available.
Writing letters to JAMB is not necessary and will not be prioritized. All complaints are handled through the online ticketing system only, this ensures prompt attention and proper documentation. JAMB does not discuss any candidate’s details with third parties, so only the candidate can submit a support ticket on their own profile.
Conclusion
JAMB Direct Entry registration 2026 is open now and closes on Saturday, 25th April 2026. The fee is ₦5,700. Your three-step action plan is to send your NIN to 55019 or 66019 to generate your Profile Code, purchase your ePIN at any authorized bank, NIPOST, or MMO outlet, visit your nearest JAMB State or Zonal office with all your qualification documents for biometric capture and registration completion.
Before you visit the JAMB office, confirm that your DE qualification has been pre-verified and shows as CLEARED in your e-Facility profile. If you hold a pre-2020 Cambridge A-level certificate, initiate Cambridge’s verification process immediately it takes up to 28 days.
Do not share your Profile Code, ePIN, or password with anyone, and do not register more than once. The entire process is handled exclusively through official JAMB channels, any individual or agent demanding payment outside of authorized financial outlets is committing fraud.
Bookmark this page, we update it immediately whenever JAMB releases new official information on the 2026 Direct Entry exercise.
RELATED POSTS
JAMB UTME Registration 2026 — Full Step-by-Step Guide
JAMB Portal Login Guide 2026 for UTME & DE Candidates (Step-by-Step)
Tunde
2 comments