The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced that 2,243,816 candidates successfully registered for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
This number shows that the competition for admission spots into Nigerian universities is getting tougher.While this number may seem overwhelming, the most important thing for candidates remains to prepare effectively and stay focused on achieving a strong score.
Download the Exam Scholars JAMB CBT 2026 Practice App to help you prepare smartly.
Below is the official breakdown of registered candidates across all states in Nigeria.
Number of Candidates Registered for JAMB 2026 by State.
State Number of Candidates
Abia 44,394
Adamawa 31,321
Akwa Ibom 47,079
Anambra 34,787
Bauchi 27,963
Bayelsa 27,245
Benue 60,860
Borno 33,483
Cross River 34,605
Delta 77,670
Ebonyi 19,662
Edo 59,605
Ekiti 31,643
Enugu 50,305
FCT (Abuja) 302,963
Gombe 23,012
Imo 42,170
Jigawa 28,166
Kaduna 303,498
Kano 83,167
Katsina 37,973
Kebbi 36,533
Kogi 46,783
Kwara 64,988
Lagos 321,814
Nasarawa 65,739
Niger 47,679
Ogun 137,156
Ondo 66,270
Osun 64,894
Oyo 122,662
Plateau 62,440
Rivers 105,584
Sokoto 20,243
Taraba 38,093
Yobe 20,583
Zamfara 14,841
From the statistics above, Lagos recorded the highest number of candidates with 321,814 registrations, followed closely by Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja). States like Ogun, Oyo, and Rivers also recorded high numbers.
What does the 2.2 Million Number Really Mean for Candidates?
The large number of candidates can make some students feel anxious. But it is important to understand something very important. You are not competing with every single person writing the exam. Your real competitors are: students who chose the same course as you, those who applied to the same university, and meet the cut-off mark requirements.
Therefore your goal should be to score high enough to stand out. Scores above 250, 270, and 300+ automatically get higher chances to gain admission into institutions of their choice.
JAMB Warns Candidates About Exam Fraud
The JAMB Registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, recently revealed that the board uncovered fraud networks targeting UTME candidates online. According to him, some syndicates used AI-generated images and videos of senior JAMB officials to deceive students.
These fraudsters push people to believe that they can provide “VIP Assistance” to candidates to guarantee higher scores. It wa revealed that over 120 candidates paid to the fraud network. As a result, such candidates’ registrations may be deleted.Candidates have been strongly advised to avoid any platform promising score upgrades or exam manipulation.
Prepare for JAMB 2026 the Smart Way
With millions of candidates writing the UTME, the best strategy is to prepare early and practice consistently. Practicing helps candidates:Improve speed and accuracy, Become comfortable with the CBT format, Identify weak subjects early, Build confidence before the exam.
One of the easiest ways to achieve this is by using the Exam Scholars app. The app allows students to:Practice JAMB past questions, take timed CBT mock exams, learn through detailed explanations, and track their performance progress.
Download the Exam Scholars App on Android
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FAQ: How many candidates registered for JAMB 2026?
Answer: 2,243,816 candidates successfully registered for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Advice for JAMB 2026 Candidates
Over 2.2 million students registered for JAMB 2026, but this does not determine your success. Prepare smartly, avoid shortcuts, and practice consistently. With the right preparation and the right tools, scoring high in JAMB is absolutely possible.
