The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board) has extended the registration period for its 2026 Direct Entry (DE) application exercise, shifting the deadline to May 8, 2026.
The Board announced the extension as part of efforts to ensure that no eligible candidate is denied access to tertiary education in Nigeria.
According to JAMB, the decision was taken to provide additional time for prospective applicants who may still be completing their registration process.
“As part of measures aimed at ensuring that no Direct Entry prospective candidate is denied the opportunity to access tertiary education in the country,” the Board said, adding that the extension was approved to allow more candidates complete their applications.
In addition to extending the deadline, JAMB also approved five new registration centres to reduce congestion and ease access in high-demand locations across the country.
The newly approved centres include the Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CODL), Mini Campus, University of Ilorin, Kwara State; Bells University of Technology; Olabisi Onabanjo University; the Prof. Usman E-Learning Centre, Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo; and Human Development Initiatives, Lagos State. These centres are expected to commence operations from April 30, 2026.
The Board also confirmed that its offices nationwide, including Professional Registration Centres (PRCs) and Professional Testing Centres (PTCs), remain open for the ongoing 2026 Direct Entry registration exercise.
JAMB urged all prospective candidates to take advantage of the extension and complete their applications before the new deadline, warning that no further extension should be assumed.
The Direct Entry scheme allows qualified candidates with higher qualifications such as diplomas and A-level results to gain admission into Nigerian universities beyond the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination pathway.