Extended Registration Window Provides Relief for Direct Entry Applicants

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially extended the registration deadline for 2026 Direct Entry (DE) candidates to May 8, 2026. This announcement, made on Wednesday, April 29, comes as a significant reprieve for thousands of applicants nationwide who had struggled to meet the previous April 25 cutoff due to technical bottlenecks and high traffic at accredited centers.

In a move to permanently address the congestion reported across the country, the Board has also approved five additional registration centers. These new sites, strategically located in Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, and Lagos, are equipped to handle the influx of candidates and ensure a smoother verification process. Notable among these are the new facilities at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) and Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), which are expected to serve as major hubs for applicants within the North-Central and South-West regions.

The extension is not merely a date shift but a response to the logistical challenges inherent in the 2026 admissions cycle. JAMB has reiterated that this grace period is final and urges candidates to utilize the new centers to avoid last-minute rushes. For those in Lagos, the newly approved center at Onike is scheduled to begin full operations on April 30, providing a specialized outlet for candidates in the metropolitan area.

Applicants are reminded that the Direct Entry process remains rigorous, requiring the verification of A-level results and other diplomas. The Board emphasized that the “no-third-party” rule for registration remains in force to prevent fraudulent activities. Candidates must appear physically at these centers for biometric capturing and data validation. With the new May 8 deadline, the academic community expects a significant increase in the number of successfully processed applications, ensuring that no qualified student is left behind in the 2026 admission exercise.