The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released comprehensive guidelines for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), directing prospective candidates to ensure the accuracy of all personal details before commencing registration.
In a statement on its official X handle on Sunday, the Board warned that key information such as National Identification Number (NIN), functional email address, and O Level or A Level results must be correct and harmonised ahead of profile code generation. JAMB noted that errors and mismatches in biodata remain major causes of delays during registration.
The Board explained that candidates must first verify and correct all details captured by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), including name, date of birth, gender and state of origin. To generate a profile code, candidates are required to send NIN, leave a space, then their 11 digit NIN to either 55019 or 66019. Once issued, the profile code cannot be changed because all biodata is automatically retrieved from NIMC.
After generating the code, candidates are to proceed to the nearest JAMB office or any accredited CBT centre for registration. JAMB advised candidates to purchase their ePINs only from authorised channels such as banks, approved online platforms or licensed vendors at CBT centres.
The Board urged candidates to obtain the correct registration template and to cross check all entries before final submission. It stressed that each candidate’s email address and mobile number serve as unique identifiers and cannot be shared or replaced once used for registration.
JAMB also cautioned candidates experiencing biometric difficulties to report directly to the nearest JAMB office instead of submitting to forced fingerprint capturing at any centre. It added that all accredited centres must use dual screens to allow candidates to verify their passport photographs and biometric details during registration.
The Board addressed common issues associated with profile code generation. Candidates receiving a “Record Not Found” message are advised to visit a NIMC office for validation. A “Wrong Parameter” message indicates that the request was sent in an incorrect format and should be resent properly. When notified that a NIN has already been linked to another phone number, candidates are required to retrieve the original SIM card previously used to obtain the profile code. For the error message “Unable to verify your NIN at the moment,” the Board recommended waiting and retrying later.
JAMB urged candidates to begin preparations early and comply fully with the guidelines to ensure a smooth and seamless registration process for the 2026 UTME.
