🎓 Admission
JAMB UTME Registration — Profile Code, NIN, ePIN & Exam Explained
UTME — the gateway to every Nigerian university/poly
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board runs the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination every year — the single biggest exam in Africa by candidate numbers (~2 million). Registration runs for a limited window each cycle on efacility.jamb.gov.ng.
The 5-step registration flow
- NIN profile code: send NIN <your 11-digit number> by SMS to 55019 or 66019 — you get back your profile code.
- Buy ePIN: via banks, Remita, Interswitch, USSD or JAMB-approved vendors using the profile code.
- Register at an accredited CBT centre: biometric capture + choice of course/institution (first choice, second, third).
- Mock exam (optional): usually offered a few weeks before the main exam.
- Reprint exam slip: a week before the exam — shows your centre, date and time. Everyone forgets this step.
Exam format
| Subjects | Use of English (compulsory) + 3 others per your course |
| Format | CBT — computer-based, ~180 questions |
| Result | Published on JAMB portal within days; check via SMS "UTMERESULT" to 55019/66019 |
| Cut-off marks | Set by JAMB + institutions after the exam (usually 140+ universities, 120+ polys — verify per year) |
After UTME: watch CAPS (caps.jamb.gov.ng) for your admission offer and post-UTME screening at your chosen institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need NIN for JAMB?
Yes — since 2021, NIN is mandatory for UTME registration. Get your NIN sorted at an NIMC centre months before registration opens.
Can I register for JAMB on my phone?
No — registration must be completed at an accredited CBT centre with biometric capture. The phone part is only the profile-code SMS.
What score is 'good' in UTME?
It depends on your course — medicine/law/pharmacy at top universities typically needs 250+; many programmes admit from 180-220. Check your target institution's cut-off.