JAMB extends 2026 DE registration deadline to May 8

Mariam Abeeb

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended the sale of application documents for the 2026 Direct Entry (DE) admission process to May 8, 2026, in a move aimed at widening access to tertiary education across the country.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Public Communication Adviser (PCA) JAMB, Dr. Fabian Benjamin.

The extension, according to the Board, is part of deliberate efforts to ensure that no qualified prospective candidate is denied the opportunity to participate in the admission process due to time constraints.
The earlier deadline had generated concerns among applicants still seeking to complete their registration.

As part of measures to ease registration bottlenecks, JAMB has also approved five additional centres to handle Direct Entry applications, particularly in areas experiencing high demand.

The Board said the move would help decongest existing facilities and improve service delivery.

The newly approved centres include the Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CODL), Mini Campus, University of Ilorin, Kwara State; Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State; Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State; and the Prof. Usman E-Learning Centre, Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, Oyo State.

Also listed is the Human Development Initiatives (Grace House), located at No. 2, Iwaya, Sabo, opposite Onike Girls Junior High School, Lagos State. The centre is scheduled to commence operations from April 30, 2026.

JAMB reiterated that its offices nationwide, including Professional Registration Centres (PRCs) and Professional Testing Centres (PTCs), remain open for the ongoing Direct Entry registration.

Prospective candidates have been advised to take advantage of the extension to complete their applications promptly.

The Board reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to higher education and ensuring a seamless, inclusive admission process for all eligible candidates.