BUKAT and BUKDES 2026/2027: BUK Extends Screening to September 17

Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has extended the 2026/2027 Bayero University Kano Aptitude Test (BUKAT) and Bayero University Kano Direct Entry Screening (BUKDES) exercise to Thursday, 17 September 2026. The university said the extension is to compensate for time lost when a Remita platform outage affected payment and registration.

The official BUK notice tells affected candidates to use the extra period to complete payment, registration and other applicable processes. However, the live BUKAT registration page currently displays a separate operational message saying payment for registration is extended to Tuesday, 15 September 2026. Candidates should therefore treat 15 September as the safer portal-payment target and should not wait until the final day of the wider exercise.

BUKAT and BUKDES extension at a glance

At the time of verification on 8 September 2026, the university’s 17 September date was nine calendar days away. This is a time-sensitive update, so candidates should act immediately, especially if payment failed earlier or their registration remains incomplete.

Who should use the extended BUK screening window?

The extension is for candidates whose 2026/2027 BUK admission-screening process was affected by the payment or registration interruption. It covers the two routes named by the university:

• BUKAT: UTME candidates completing the Bayero University aptitude-test registration process.
• BUKDES: Direct Entry candidates completing the separate BUKDES screening process.

This notice is not a new admission offer and does not automatically make an ineligible candidate qualified. Applicants must still meet the requirements attached to their chosen route and programme, use the correct JAMB details and complete all portal steps. If you already paid and printed your acknowledgement slip, keep the documents and use the extension mainly to verify that your portal record is complete.

How to complete BUKAT registration

The BUKAT portal currently asks candidates to log in with their UTME number and UTME score. It also warns that JAMB will not clear a shortlisted candidate who has no O’Level result on record. Follow these steps:

1. Open the official BUKAT portal from a secure browser.
2. Enter your UTME registration number and UTME score exactly as recorded on your JAMB documents.
3. Review the profile and application information displayed by the portal.
4. Update any permitted information and provide the required O’Level details.
5. Generate the BUK Personalised Payment Form (BUKPPF) when the portal instructs you to do so.
6. Use the generated payment reference and the approved Remita route shown by the portal. Do not create a separate payment outside the application record.
7. Return to the portal after payment, confirm that the transaction has been recognised and print the acknowledgement or registration slip.

The current BUKAT login page displays 15 September 2026 as the payment-extension date. Because a portal can stop accepting payment before a broader administrative exercise date, candidates should finish the BUKAT payment and printout by 15 September rather than relying on 17 September.

How to complete BUKDES registration

Direct Entry applicants should use the BUKDES portal and follow the university’s registration sequence. The official guide identifies the following steps:

1. Open the BUKDES registration guide and use the login details requested by the portal, including the DE number, state of origin and gender where prompted.
2. Update the profile with the required contact, date-of-birth, LGA and next-of-kin information. The guide says the full name and state of origin cannot be changed in the portal.
3. Enter the O’Level results. The guide allows up to two O’Level examination results and warns that false information can lead to disqualification.
4. Enter the applicable A’Level or qualifying Direct Entry information. NCE applicants should follow the portal’s instruction for education and teaching subjects.
5. Generate and print the BUKPPF after the academic-record sections are complete.
6. Pay through the Remita e-Payments route linked to the BUKPPF, either online or through an approved bank process.
7. Wait for payment verification and print the acknowledgement slip when the portal enables it.

The university’s extension notice applies to BUKDES, but the public BUKDES guide does not display the new 17 September date in its step-by-step text. Candidates should use the university notice together with the live portal and contact BUK through the official registration email if the portal gives a conflicting instruction.

What to do if Remita payment failed

Do not pay repeatedly without checking the status of the first transaction. A failed or pending transaction can create duplicate charges or leave the portal record incomplete. Instead:

• Save the BUKPPF, RRR, transaction reference, date and amount shown on the payment page.
• Return to the same BUKAT or BUKDES portal and check whether the payment status has updated.
• Use the portal’s payment-verification or status-check option if available.
• Keep screenshots and bank or card evidence for any genuine dispute.
• Contact the official BUK registration address before making a second payment when the first transaction is still pending.

For BUKAT enquiries, the live portal lists bukat.registration@buk.edu.ng. The BUKDES guide lists the separate Direct Entry screening portal and the university’s official website should be used to confirm any current contact detail before sending personal information.

Important O’Level and JAMB checks

BUK’s live BUKAT page specifically reminds candidates that JAMB will not clear a shortlisted candidate who does not have O’Level results. Before the deadline, candidates should:

• Check that the result details entered on the BUK portal match the certificate or statement of result.
• Upload or verify O’Level results through a JAMB office or accredited CBT centre where JAMB requires that route.
• Keep the same name order and registration details across JAMB and BUK records.
• For Direct Entry, provide the correct qualifying certificate and the A’Level information requested by the BUKDES form.
• Print the acknowledgement slip only after confirming that the final submission and payment have been recorded.

Do not assume that a successful payment alone means the application is complete. A candidate should have a submitted portal record and a downloadable or printable acknowledgement document.

BUKAT/BUKDES deadline warning

There are two dates that candidates should keep in view. BUK’s official extension notice says the BUKAT and BUKDES exercise runs until 17 September 2026. The live BUKAT page says payment for registration is extended to 15 September 2026. The safest action is to complete payment, registration and slip printing by 15 September, then use any remaining time only to resolve an already-recorded issue or confirm the next instruction. Do not wait for 17 September if you still need to start payment.

The university’s extension notice does not state a new application fee. Candidates should therefore rely on the amount generated on their own official BUKPPF rather than a figure circulated on social media or by an agent.

Scam and payment-safety checklist

Frequently asked questions

What is the new BUKAT deadline?

BUK’s official extension notice says the BUKAT and BUKDES exercise has been extended to Thursday, 17 September 2026. The live BUKAT page separately says payment for registration is extended to Tuesday, 15 September 2026. Candidates should finish payment by 15 September.

Does the extension cover Direct Entry candidates?

Yes. The university notice expressly names both BUKAT and BUKDES. Direct Entry applicants should use the BUKDES portal and complete the profile, O’Level, A’Level, payment and acknowledgement steps that apply to their route.

Why did BUK extend the screening exercise?

BUK said the extension compensates for time lost because of a Remita platform outage that affected payment and registration.

How do I pay for BUK screening?

Log in through the official BUKAT or BUKDES portal, generate the BUKPPF when instructed and use the Remita payment route attached to the form. The current notice does not publish a universal fee amount.

What if my payment is pending?

Do not make an unnecessary second payment. Save your RRR and transaction evidence, check the same portal for payment verification and contact the relevant official BUK registration channel if the status does not update.

Sources and verification

Primary source: Bayero University’s official extension notice, published 2 September 2026. Operational portal: BUKAT registration page, which displayed the 15 September payment message when checked. Direct Entry guide: BUKDES official portal. The article was independently checked against BUK’s official homepage and admissions pages on 8 September 2026 using Africa/Lagos time.