The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially commenced the registration process for the 2026 Direct Entry (DE) admission exercise across Nigeria. The board announced that the sale of application documents for prospective candidates started on Monday, March 2, 2026.
According to JAMB, the Direct Entry registration will run until Saturday, April 25, 2026, giving eligible candidates several weeks to complete the process. The board explained that the registration is meant for candidates who already possess advanced qualifications and wish to gain admission directly into the second year (200 level) of university programmes.
The examination body stated that only candidates with recognised qualifications such as the National Diploma (ND), National Certificate in Education (NCE), Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB), A-Level certificates or other approved equivalents are eligible to apply for Direct Entry admission. This pathway allows qualified applicants to bypass the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and proceed directly into university programmes.
JAMB further noted that the registration exercise can only be carried out at its designated state and zonal offices nationwide. The board advised candidates to visit these offices for proper documentation and verification of their academic credentials before completing the application process.
The board also disclosed that the cost of the 2026 Direct Entry application document is about ₦5,700, which covers the registration fee and other service charges required for the admission process.
Candidates are encouraged to complete their registration early and ensure that all required documents and credentials are correctly submitted to avoid issues during the admission process. JAMB reiterated that applicants must follow the official registration procedures and avoid unauthorized agents to prevent fraud or invalid applications.
The commencement of the Direct Entry registration follows the conclusion of the 2026 UTME registration exercise, which closed earlier in February. With the Direct Entry process now underway, thousands of qualified candidates across the country are expected to apply for admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions for the 2026/2027 academic session.
An education writer with almost a decade of experience helping Nigerian students prepare for JAMB and Admission. Hauwa is passionate about ensuring that students have the resources and guides they need to succeed in their academic journey.