The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dispelled rumours of an impending increase in the cost of application forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) registration.

In a statement contained in its Weekly Bulletin released on Monday in Abuja, the board emphasised that the fees for UTME and DE application documents will remain unchanged, maintaining the same cost structure that has prevailed for several years.

JAMB noted that it has not increased the price of its application documents in the last nine years, and in fact, has reduced some charges for prospective candidates within that period.

The board attributed the stability in fees to its commitment to making access to tertiary education more affordable for Nigerian families, particularly in the face of prevailing economic challenges.

According to the bulletin, the decision to maintain the current fee regime reflects the directive of the Federal Government to align the board’s activities with national development priorities that emphasise affordability and transparency in educational processes.

The Board warned that fees would only be reviewed upwards if it becomes absolutely necessary to sustain the integrity and quality of the examination process.

It urged parents, guardians and prospective candidates to plan early for the upcoming exercise as the cost implication for the 2026 UTME/DE remains largely the same as that of the previous year.

JAMB also advised candidates to ensure that their National Identification Number (NIN) details are accurate before registration begins, noting that any discrepancies could affect the registration process.

The board is expected to commence the sale of application documents and the registration process in the coming weeks, with strict enforcement of the registration window once it opens, it added.