JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Registration Guidelines, Highlights Common Profile Code, NIN Issues

JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Registration Guidelines, Highlights Common Profile Code, NIN Issues

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has published comprehensive guidelines for the 2026 UTME registration, alongside a list of common challenges candidates may encounter during the process. The update, released on Sunday via the Board’s official X handle, is aimed at helping prospective applicants prepare ahead of the registration window.

According to JAMB, candidates must ensure that all personal information — including National Identification Number (NIN), email address, and A-Level results — is accurate before generating a profile code, as the data cannot be edited afterward. To obtain the profile code, candidates are required to send their 11-digit NIN to 55019 or 66019 in the correct format (e.g., NIN 00000011111).

Once generated, the profile code automatically links to biodata retrieved from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). Candidates must then proceed to any JAMB office or accredited CBT centre to complete their registration.

The board advised that E-PINs should only be purchased from approved vendors, including banks, online payment platforms, and authorised merchants at registration centres. Before submitting the final form, candidates are expected to double-check the registration template to ensure all details are correct.

READ ALSO:

• Nigeria Withdraws Fighter Jets as Benin Crushes Failed Coup Attempt
• Dozen Soldiers Held as Benin Govt Thwarts Coup Against President Patrice Talon
• Benin govt says coup attempt foiled as soldiers seize state TV, gunfire rocks Cotonou

JAMB warned that inaccurate or mismatched details may result in delays. Candidates with incorrect data are advised to update their records with NIMC ahead of registration and confirm that the corrections reflect on the portal — especially details such as name, date of birth, gender, and state of origin.

The board emphasised that email addresses and GSM numbers serve as unique identifiers and cannot be changed or shared. These must be functional before registration.

For candidates who encounter biometric issues, JAMB instructed them to report directly to the nearest JAMB office, adding that no CBT centre is permitted to forcibly complete registration without successful biometric capture. Candidates are also advised to ensure that dual screens are used during registration and that their passport photograph and biometrics are captured correctly.

JAMB listed some of the common errors noticed during profile code generation, including:

• Error 55019/66019 — caused by incorrect message format
• Number Already Registered — indicating the SIM is tied to another candidate’s profile
• Unable to Verify NIN — candidates should wait and try again

The 2026 JAMB UTME form will be available for sale from Friday, January 31, 2026, to Saturday, March 8, 2026.

JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Registration Guidelines, Highlights Common Profile Code, NIN Issues