JAMB Pays Over N1.5bn to CBT Centres for 2026 UTME Registration
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has paid more than ₦1.5 billion to accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Nigeria as registration charges for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
In a statement issued by the board’s Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, JAMB disclosed that the payment represents the ₦700 service charge per candidate collected during the UTME registration process and subsequently remitted to the CBT centres that handled the exercise.
According to the examination body, a total of ₦1,570,671,200 was paid to the centres nationwide, reflecting the number of candidates who registered for the 2026 examination through accredited facilities. The board explained that the remittance forms part of its commitment to ensuring transparency and prompt settlement of obligations to service providers involved in the UTME registration process.
JAMB also reiterated that the approved UTME registration charges remain unchanged. The board noted that the fee structure includes the application fee, reading text fee, CBT registration service charge, CBT UTME service charge, and bank charges, which are regulated to prevent exploitation of candidates.
The examination body further warned CBT operators against collecting unauthorized fees from candidates, stressing that any centre found guilty of overcharging would face sanctions. The 2026 UTME, one of Nigeria’s largest tertiary entrance examinations, is expected to attract over one million candidates nationwide as students seek admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
JAMB said it will continue to monitor the activities of CBT centres to ensure compliance with its guidelines and maintain the integrity of the registration and examination process.
