JAMB Extends Direct Entry Registration to May 8

Prospective university entrants applying through Direct Entry now have more time and more options. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board announced on Wednesday that it has extended the sale of Direct Entry application forms to May 8, 2026, pushing back the earlier closing date to give more candidates a chance to complete their registration.

The Board’s spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, signed the press statement confirming the extension, framing it as a deliberate step to ensure that no candidate loses access to tertiary education because of logistical or registration constraints.

Why JAMB Made the Decision

JAMB said the extension forms part of broader measures to guarantee that every prospective candidate who qualifies for Direct Entry can actually access the process. The Board did not cite a specific reason for the gap between the original deadline and the new one, but the simultaneous approval of five additional registration centres points to the real pressure point: demand in certain locations was outpacing available infrastructure.

When candidates cannot get registered not because they lack qualifications but because available centres cannot absorb them, a deadline extension without additional capacity solves nothing. JAMB appears to have recognised that and addressed both problems at once.

The Five New Centres and Where They Are

JAMB approved five centres to absorb registration pressure in areas experiencing high applicant volumes. Each centre serves a different catchment area, and together they extend coverage across four states.

The Centre for Open and Distance Learning at Mini Campus, University of Ilorin in Kwara State joins the network, giving candidates in the North-Central zone an additional point of access. In Ogun State, JAMB approved two centres simultaneously: Bells University of Technology on KM 8, Idiroko Road in Ota, and Olabisi Onabanjo University Centre 1 in Ago-Iwoye. The addition of two Ogun State centres reflects the significant concentration of candidates in that corridor.

In Oyo State, the Prof. Usman E-Learning Centre at the Federal College of Education Special in Oyo town joins the list. Lagos State receives one new centre: Human Development Initiatives at Grace House, located at No. 2, Iwaya, Sabo, opposite Onike Girls Junior High School in Onike. JAMB specifically noted that the Lagos centre begins operations from Thursday, April 30, 2026, giving candidates a precise start date to plan around.

What Candidates Should Do Now

JAMB reminded all prospective Direct Entry applicants that its offices nationwide remain open for the ongoing 2026 registration exercise. Professional Registration Centres and Professional Testing Centres across the country continue to accept candidates throughout the extended window.

Candidates who have not yet registered should note that the May 8 deadline is firm for now, and the addition of five new centres means that the capacity constraint that may have slowed them down earlier in the cycle no longer applies at those locations. Candidates in Kwara, Ogun, Oyo, and Lagos should confirm which centre best serves their location and move quickly, given the number of applicants still working through the process.

What Direct Entry Is and Who It Is For

Direct Entry is JAMB’s admissions route for candidates who already hold qualifications above the Ordinary Level, typically holders of the National Diploma, National Certificate of Education, or the Advanced Level results. Rather than competing for 100-level admission alongside UTME candidates, Direct Entry applicants seek placement directly into 200-level programmes at universities and other tertiary institutions.

The route matters enormously to candidates who have already invested years in a polytechnic, college of education, or A-Level programme and want to convert that qualification into a degree without starting from the beginning. Any disruption to Direct Entry registration does not just inconvenience a candidate; it can delay their academic progression by a full academic year.

JAMB’s decision to extend the deadline and expand centre capacity therefore carries real consequences for the thousands of Nigerians whose educational timelines depend on completing this process before the window closes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new deadline for JAMB Direct Entry form sales in 2026? JAMB has extended the sale of Direct Entry application forms to May 8, 2026. The Board announced the new deadline in a press statement signed by spokesperson Dr Fabian Benjamin.

Why did JAMB extend the Direct Entry registration deadline? JAMB said the extension aims to ensure that no prospective candidate is denied the opportunity to access tertiary education. The Board also approved five new registration centres simultaneously, indicating that applicant pressure at existing centres was a contributing factor.

What are the five new Direct Entry registration centres JAMB approved? The five new centres are the Centre for Open and Distance Learning at the University of Ilorin in Kwara State; Bells University of Technology in Ota, Ogun State; Olabisi Onabanjo University Centre 1 in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State; the Prof. Usman E-Learning Centre at the Federal College of Education Special in Oyo, Oyo State; and Human Development Initiatives at Grace House in Onike, Lagos State.

When does the new Lagos Direct Entry centre start operating? The Human Development Initiatives centre at Grace House in Onike, Lagos begins operations on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Are existing JAMB offices still open for Direct Entry registration? Yes. JAMB confirmed that all its nationwide offices, including Professional Registration Centres and Professional Testing Centres, remain open for the ongoing 2026 Direct Entry registration exercise.

Who qualifies for JAMB Direct Entry admission? Direct Entry is designed for candidates who already hold qualifications above Ordinary Level, such as the National Diploma, National Certificate of Education, or Advanced Level results. Successful applicants gain admission directly into 200-level programmes at universities and other tertiary institutions, bypassing the 100-level entry point used for UTME candidates.