2026 UTME: JAMB Pays ₦1.57bn To Accredited CBT Centres

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed that it remitted a total of N1,570,671,200 to Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres that participated in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registration exercise.

The disclosure was contained in a bulletin issued by the board and signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin.

According to JAMB, the amount represents the N700 registration fee collected on behalf of CBT centres from candidates during the UTME registration process.

The Board explained that the N700 fee is collected alongside the ePIN registration charge and subsequently remitted directly to accredited CBT centres on a weekly basis.

“In line with this arrangement, the Board has remitted a total sum of ₦1,570,671,200 to the CBT centres that participated in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration exercise,” the bulletin stated.

JAMB noted that the initiative has helped curb abuses and the exploitation of candidates through the imposition of unauthorised charges, while also strengthening the adoption of a cashless registration system at the centres, many of which are privately owned.

Under the arrangement, candidates who purchase the UTME ePIN are not required to make additional payments at CBT centres and are free to complete their registration at any accredited centre of their choice.

The Board also reiterated that it operates a “No View, No Pay” policy, under which payments are made to CBT centres only after verification that candidates registered by the centres are valid and visible in the board’s registration system.

“The policy is designed to curb registration infractions and ensure transparency in the process,” JAMB added.

The 2026 UTME registration closed on February 28, while the examination is scheduled to hold nationwide from April 16 to April 25.

Meanwhile, registration for the Direct Entry programme began on March 2 and will run until April 25, 2026.