Abuja, Nigeria — In recent days, a flurry of posts and messages across social media platforms and instant messaging groups has reignited public discussion about the cost of registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). At the centre of this debate is a claim suggesting that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) quietly increased its registration fees. The claim gained traction quickly, given the enormous number of secondary school leavers and parents preparing for the examination each year.
However, careful examination of official statements and registration documentation reveals that those reports of a fee increase are inaccurate. Rather than reflecting a change in policy, they stem from a misinterpretation of the official fees and a lack of clarity about how the total charge is composed. In fact, JAMB has categorically stated that there has been no increase in the official UTME registration fees for the 2026 exam cycle. The board described the rumours as false, misleading and entirely unfounded.
This article examines the origins of the controversy, clarifies the official fee structure, and explores why misinformation on this issue spread so quickly — offering readers a comprehensive, factual account grounded in official sources and established reporting.
How the Rumour Started
The conversation began when social media users shared screenshots and hearsay claiming that JAMB had increased the UTME registration fee beyond the level observed in recent years. Some of these claims did not reference official channels, instead circulating through community WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, and Twitter threads with minimal context or verification.
Given the broad reach of social platforms and the emotional impact of rising costs on families preparing for examination season, the claim quickly spread before any authoritative clarification was issued.
In response to the widespread circulation of these claims, JAMB issued a public statement through its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, on February 27, 2026, explicitly dispelling the assertion that fees had been increased. According to the board, the official fees for the 2026 UTME have remained unchanged since 2019.
Multiple independent Nigerian news outlets subsequently reported JAMB’s denial, reiterating that the board’s approved charges have not been altered.
Understanding the Official Fee Structure
To appreciate why the fee controversy arose, it is necessary to unpack how JAMB’s UTME fees are structured.
Official registration documentation and JAMB’s published fee schedules show that the board applies three categories of registration fees based on the type of service a candidate chooses during registration. These categories have been maintained over several years: direct entry candidates, UTME candidates without mock examination, and UTME candidates who also purchase access to the mock exam.
Under the current framework, the official costs for the 2026 UTME registration are as follows:
Direct Entry registration is set at ₦5,700; UTME registration without the mock examination is ₦7,200; and UTME registration with the mock exam is ₦8,700. These figures are exactly the same as those confirmed by JAMB’s official announcement earlier in the year.
The total charges encompass multiple components — including the application fee, reading text, service charges from accredited Computer‑Based Test (CBT) centres, and bank transaction charges — which together comprise the final amounts. Importantly, the JAMB documentation shows these components have not been altered for 2026.
This has been a constant practice over recent years, with the last adjustment of this structure occurring in 2019 when JAMB last standardised its fee schedule.
Why Misinformation Spread Quickly
The rapid spread of the fee‑hike narrative reflects broader challenges around communication and public understanding of examination procedures and costs.
First, many candidates and parents are not familiar with how JAMB differentiates between categories of registration or with the breakdown of individual components within the total fee. When informal posts refer simply to “₦8,700,” for example, without context, some people assume it represents a new or increased rate without understanding that this total includes optional services like the mock exam.
Second, there have been verifiable incidents in the field where individual CBT centres have charged candidates amounts above the board’s established service charge. Such cases are illegal under JAMB’s guidelines, and the board has consistently warned that centres found to be overcharging will face sanctions if proper evidence is provided.
These experiences in the field — where some candidates have legitimately paid more than the official fee due to illicit practices — have contributed to confusion. Such cases do not reflect a formal fee increase by the board, but rather a failure of compliance at the level of implementing centres.
Third, the international environment around education and examinations is one where rumours can spread rapidly. In recent years, JAMB has also had to respond to other forms of misinformation, including fraudulent messages aimed at candidates during registration periods.
These overlapping issues around costs, fraud and compliance create fertile ground for unverified claims to emerge and be accepted as fact, especially among groups seeking clarity amid the pressures of the examination period.
What Candidates and Parents Should Know
For prospective UTME candidates and their families, clarity on the actual fee schedule and how to navigate the registration process is essential.
All candidates should ensure they obtain their profile code through the official JAMB process — typically by sending their National Identification Number (NIN) via SMS to designated shortcodes — and purchase their e‑PINs at authorised points of sale, including banks, NIPOST outlets, and accredited platforms.
Once a candidate has obtained the e‑PIN corresponding to their preferred registration category, they must proceed to a JAMB‑accredited CBT centre for the actual registration and biometric capture.
Importantly, candidates who encounter situations where a centre charges more than the officially published amounts are advised to report such incidents through JAMB’s online support ticketing system. Evidence such as payment receipts can support investigations into non‑compliant behaviour by registered service providers.
Guidance and step‑by‑step instructions for UTME registration, including explanations of common challenges and how to navigate the portal correctly, have been circulated by JAMB ahead of the 2026 exercise and are available on official channels.
Exam Preparation Amid Broader Registration Challenges
The broader context of UTME registration in 2026 includes other administrative and security challenges that the board has addressed publicly. In addition to clarifying the fee issue, JAMB has also disclosed efforts to identify and sanction portal fraud as well as to maintain integrity throughout the registration and examination process.
The 2026 cycle has similarly seen increased emphasis on compliance with regulations designed to protect the credibility of the UTME, as well as public advisories encouraging candidates to report instances of malpractice or illicit behaviour by service providers.
Historical Oversight and Regulatory Constraints
The question of fee adjustments is not without precedent in Nigeria’s education policy debates. In previous years, JAMB sought approval for fee increases that were ultimately rejected by legislative authorities concerned about the financial burden on families. Those discussions illustrate the multi‑layer governance framework that guides how examination charges are set and reviewed.
Against this backdrop, any legitimate amendment to registration fees would normally be announced through formal channels, accompanied by official documentation and clear stakeholder communication — not through unofficial leaks or social media speculation.
Conclusion: Facts Over Fiction
The controversy surrounding the alleged UTME registration fee increase underscores both the challenges and the responsibilities inherent in public communication during major national examination cycles.
Contrary to the claims circulating online, JAMB did not increase the UTME registration fees for the 2026 cycle. The board has formally confirmed that fees have remained at the same levels established in recent years, and multiple reputable Nigerian media outlets have reported this clarification.
Understanding the distinction between the official fee structure and the way total charges are composed, including optional components like the mock exam, helps demystify confusion and prevent misleading interpretations of the facts.
As candidates prepare for one of the most consequential examinations in their academic lives, reliable, verified information remains essential. Stakeholders are encouraged to consult official JAMB communications and accredited resources and to scrutinise unverified claims before accepting them as truth.
About the Author
Smart Chuks is a senior investigative journalist and editorial lead at SaharaNews247, where he covers education policy, youth affairs and governance issues across Nigeria. His work focuses on rigorous verification of facts and providing readers with clear, authoritative analysis on matters of national importance.
