The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board will conduct the 2026 UTME registration and examination in ten foreign cities, charging thirty United States dollars or local equivalent.

The foreign centres provide Nigerian candidates living abroad the opportunity to take JAMB without traveling to Nigeria.

JAMB announced registration and examination will hold in: Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), Accra (Ghana), Banjul (The Gambia), Benin and Cotonou (Benin Republic), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Johannesburg (South Africa), London (United Kingdom), Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

The registration fee for foreign centres is $30 USD or its local equivalent in each country's currency. This differs from the Naira based fees charged in Nigeria (₦5,700-₦8,700), reflecting the international context and operational costs of foreign centres.

Candidates interested in registering at foreign centres should contact Nigerian Missions or Embassies in their respective cities for guidance.

"Candidates are to be guided through the Nigerian Missions (Embassies) in the ten cities," JAMB stated.

Embassies can provide specific information about registration dates, exact locations, local payment methods, and documentation requirements.

JAMB emphasised that the examination standards, content, and procedures are identical to those in Nigeria. Foreign centre candidates write the same questions and are held to the same academic standards as candidates in Nigeria.

Foreign centre registration is designed for Nigerian candidates residing abroad, children of Nigerians in diaspora, and candidates who prefer writing the examination outside Nigeria for any legitimate reason.

The foreign centre registration likely follows the same January 26 to February 28, 2026 timeline as domestic UTME registration, though candidates should confirm specific dates with their local Nigerian mission.

The guidelines did not specify whether Direct Entry registration is available at foreign centres or only UTME. Candidates interested in Direct Entry should inquire specifically at Nigerian missions.

Payment methods at foreign centres may vary by location and will be specified by Nigerian missions in each city. The $30 fee may be paid in USD or converted to local currency at official exchange rates.

Like domestic candidates, foreign centre candidates must undergo biometric capture including all ten fingerprints and live photograph. This ensures the same security standards apply regardless of examination location.

Foreign centre candidates receive results through the same channels as Nigerian candidates and compete for admission on equal footing. Their examination is processed identically in JAMB's system.

The ten cities chosen represent significant Nigerian diaspora populations and neighbouring African countries with substantial populations of Nigerian students.

London serves European candidates, Johannesburg serves Southern Africa, Jeddah serves Middle Eastern candidates, and various West African cities serve regional candidates.

Foreign centre candidates should prepare the same documentation as Nigerian candidates: valid NIN, profile code, e-PIN, O'level results, and valid identification. Additional documentation requirements specific to foreign centres should be confirmed with Nigerian missions.