JAMB Urges UTME Candidates To Report CBT Centres Charging Above Offical Fees

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has cautioned candidates for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to report any Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres that charge fees above the officially approved rates, urging affected candidates to provide credible evidence to support such complaints.

The examination body warned that any CBT centre found guilty of overcharging or engaging in sharp practices would face appropriate sanctions.

JAMB made the clarification in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, following reports suggesting that the Board had increased its registration fees.

According to the Board, the claims were false, as the approved fees for the 2026 exercise remained unchanged. These include N7,200 for UTME only (without mock), N8,700 for UTME with mock exam, and N5,700 for Direct Entry (DE) candidates.

“The Board appeals to any candidate who has paid more than the officially approved fees to promptly report such centres with credible evidence,” the statement said. “This will enable the Board to investigate and take immediate disciplinary action against any erring centre.”

JAMB disclosed that the sale of e-PINs for the 2026 UTME ended on Thursday, while registration at accredited CBT centres for candidates who have already purchased their e-PINs will close on Saturday, February 28.

As of February 17, the Board revealed that more than 1.5 million candidates had successfully registered nationwide.

Reiterating that its charges have remained stable since 2019, JAMB noted that despite rising operational costs, it has maintained the same fee structure since 2018, when the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a reduction in the UTME application fee from ₦5,000 to N3,500, effective from the 2019 registration exercise.

The Board provided a breakdown of the approved charges as follows: Application Fee – N3,500; Reading Text – N1,000; CBT Centre Registration Service Charge – N700; CBT Centre UTME Service Charge – N1,500; Bank Charges – N500; and CBT Mock-UTME Centre Charge – N1,500.

JAMB further urged parents and candidates to beware of individuals, agents, or centres attempting to mislead or exploit them by demanding excessive fees.

“The attention of the Board has been drawn to a publication insinuating that the Board has increased its registration fees. This claim is false, misleading, and entirely unfounded,” the statement added.

The Board advised the public to rely solely on information released through its verified platforms and official advertisements, stressing that candidates should carefully read JAMB’s official notices to avoid falling victim to dishonest practices.