The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a stern warning to all prospective candidates that the ongoing registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will close in 17 days, on Thursday, February 26, 2026, with no possibility of extension.

In its weekly bulletin released on Monday, the Board urged candidates to complete their registration without delay, emphasizing that the deadline will not be shifted “under any circumstances.” JAMB expressed concern over the low turnout at many accredited registration centres nationwide, despite the registration period being well underway.

The Board condemned the recurring practice of candidates postponing registration until the final days and then demanding extensions, stating that such requests will not be entertained in 2026.

“This recurring pattern, where candidates deliberately wait until the last minute and subsequently agitate for an extension, will not be entertained,” JAMB warned.

The examination body further accused examination cheats and individuals posing as tutorial centre operators of deliberately misleading candidates to delay registration. According to JAMB, such tactics are often designed to force an extension of the registration window, enabling mass movement to centres—a practice that facilitates examination malpractice.

“JAMB is fully aware of these deliberate tactics and has factored them into its planning. There will be no extension of the registration period,” the Board stressed, adding that the notice is intended to protect genuine and law-abiding candidates from being misled.

JAMB recalled that registration for the 2026 UTME began on Monday, January 26, 2026, and was scheduled to run for five weeks, a timeline that remains unchanged. The Board disclosed that approximately one million candidates have already expressed interest in the examination, while many others have procured their ePINs and are expected to complete their registration promptly.

The Board also explained that extending the registration period would be impracticable, as its operational calendar is closely coordinated with other national examination bodies. “Any extension would disrupt this coordinated schedule and encroach on timelines already allocated to other national examinations,” JAMB noted.

Consequently, the Board advised candidates to register early, avoid last-minute rushes, and disregard any claims suggesting that the registration deadline would be extended.