JAMB pays CBT centres N1.57bn for 2026 UTME registration

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has remitted a total of N1,570,671,200 to Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres that participated in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration exercise.

The disclosure was contained in a bulletin issued by the Board and signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin.

JAMB said the payment represents the N700 registration fee collected on behalf of CBT centres from candidates during the UTME registration process.

According to the Board, the N700 fee is collected alongside the ePIN registration charge and remitted directly to accredited CBT centres on a weekly basis.

“This initiative has significantly curtailed abuses and the exploitation of candidates through the imposition of unauthorised charges. It has also entrenched a cashless registration process at the centres, many of which are privately owned,” the Board said.

Under the arrangement, candidates who purchase the UTME ePIN are not required to make additional payments at CBT centres and can register at any accredited centre of their choice.

JAMB noted that the system has helped reduce unauthorised charges and strengthen the adoption of cashless registration, particularly among privately owned CBT facilities.

To ensure compliance, the Board said it introduced the “No View, No Pay” policy, under which payments are made to CBT centres only after verification that the candidates they registered are valid and visible in the Board’s registration system.

“The policy is designed to curb registration infractions and ensure transparency in the process,” the Board added.

The 2026 UTME registration closed on February 28, while the examination is scheduled to hold nationwide from April 16 to April 25.

JAMB also noted that the Direct Entry registration, which began on March 2, will end on April 25, 2026.