The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially started the 2026 Direct Entry registration for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities.

According to the examination body, the registration exercise began on Monday, March 2, 2026, and will close on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

The process enables qualified applicants to secure admission directly into the 200 level of university programmes, bypassing the traditional Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

JAMB explained that the sale of Direct Entry application forms and e-PINs will be conducted only at accredited state and zonal JAMB offices across Nigeria.

The board stressed that candidates must follow the official registration procedure to avoid falling victim to fraud or unauthorized agents.

Who Is Eligible for JAMB Direct Entry?

The JAMB Direct Entry programme is designed for candidates who already possess higher qualifications beyond secondary school certificates.

Eligible applicants include those with:

National Diploma (ND)

National Certificate in Education (NCE)

Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) certificate

A-Level certificates

Other approved equivalent qualifications

These credentials allow candidates to gain direct admission into the second year (200 level) of their chosen university courses.

Registration Process and Important Dates

Candidates interested in the 2026 Direct Entry admission must complete the registration before the April 25 deadline.

The board emphasized that all stages of the process — including purchasing the e-PIN and submitting application details — must be completed at official JAMB offices.

JAMB also reminded applicants to provide accurate academic records and credentials during registration to avoid complications during the admission process.

After UTME Registration Closure

The launch of the 2026 Direct Entry registration follows the recent closure of the 2026 UTME registration exercise, which ended on February 28.

The examination body continues to encourage candidates to rely only on verified JAMB channels and accredited centres when completing admission procedures.

Prospective applicants are advised to start their Direct Entry registration early to avoid last-minute challenges before the deadline.