UTME 2025 Registration Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Understand the Eligibility Criteria for UTME 2025

These criteria are set by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to determine who qualifies to sit for the examination and gain admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria. 

Below are the key eligibility requirements:

• Follow age requirement: Ensure you are at least 16 years old by the time of admission, candidates below this age cannot be considered for admission, even if they pass the exam.

• Possess the right educational qualification: Possess a minimum of five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics, in not more than two sittings, these credits need to be obtained from recognized examination bodies such as WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, or GCE.

• Select the right institution: Select institutions that recognize JAMB as part of their admission process, such as universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, note that some private institutions have additional or slightly different requirements, so verify with your chosen school.

• Pick the correct subject combination: Choose the correct subject combination for your intended course of study. Using the wrong subject combination can disqualify you from being considered for admission, even if your total score is high.

• Get a national identification number (NIN): Provide your NIN during the registration process, as it is mandatory for all candidates, if you don’t have a NIN yet, visit the nearest National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) center to register before beginning your UTME registration.

Get the Documents Required for Registration

Without the correct documents, your registration can be delayed or even rejected.

The following is a list of key documents you need to have ready:

• Provide your National Identification Number (NIN): The NIN is mandatory for all UTME candidates, ensure you have your NIN slip or card ready before proceeding with registration.
• Upload your O’Level result (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, or GCE): If your result is already available, you need to upload it during the registration process, if you are awaiting results, register first and update your records once the results are released.

• Verify your personal details: Ensure you have accurate information, including your full name, date of birth, and state of origin, as they need to match the details on your NIN.
• Use a valid email address and phone number: A functional email address and phone number are required for communication and updates from JAMB, make sure these remain active throughout the admission process.

• Provide a recent passport photograph: A passport-sized photograph with a clear background is needed, ensure it meets JAMB’s specifications to avoid rejection.

• Keep your payment slip: After making the registration payment, keep the payment slip as proof of transaction, as it may be needed for verification.
• Purchase the JAMB E-PIN: This unique registration code, purchased from an approved JAMB outlet or online, is essential. Without the e-PIN, you cannot proceed with registration.

Obtain the JAMB ePIN

The JAMB ePIN is a unique code required to complete your UTME 2025 registration. 

Without it, you cannot proceed with the registration process. 

Here’s how to obtain your ePIN:

• Visit an accredited ePIN vendor: Purchase the ePIN from any JAMB-approved bank, mobile money operator, or online payment platform, make sure the vendor is authorized to avoid issues.
• Provide your National Identification Number (NIN): You are going to be required to present your NIN during the ePIN purchase, ensure that your NIN details are accurate.
• Pay the required registration fee: The standard JAMB registration fee applies to all candidates, this payment covers the cost of the ePIN and additional services.

• Receive your ePIN via SMS: After successful payment, you are to receive the ePIN on the phone number linked to your NIN, keep it safe, as it is essential for completing your registration.

• Verify the ePIN at the JAMB center: Upon receiving the ePIN, present it at the accredited JAMB registration center to initiate your UTME registration.
• Report issues immediately: If you encounter any problem with receiving the ePIN, contact JAMB support or revisit the vendor where you made the payment.

To begin your UTME 2025 registration follow these steps carefully to ensure you get everything right the first time:

Step 1: Create Your JAMB Profile

Start by creating your personal JAMB profile either through the JAMB portal or via SMS. 

Visit any JAMB accredited centre to create your profile.

This profile is your gateway to every JAMB-related activity, from checking your results to tracking your admission status. 

Step 2: Visit an Accredited JAMB CBT Center

Once your profile is ready, head to an accredited JAMB Computer-Based Test (CBT) center for your registration. 

Make sure you visit only an authorized center, as registering at an unaccredited place can lead to invalid registration, costing you time and money.

Step 3: Provide Accurate Personal Information

When you get to the center, you need to provide your personal details, including your full name, date of birth, gender, state, and local government of origin. 

It’s crucial that all the information you give matches what’s on your NIN to avoid future issues. Double-check everything before submitting it.

Step 4: Complete Biometric Capture and Photograph

Your biometric data, including fingerprints, has to be captured during registration. 

You also need to submit a recent passport photograph that meets JAMB’s guidelines. 

This step ensures your identity is securely tied to your registration and helps prevent impersonation.

Step 5: Choose Your Preferred Institutions and Course

Next, you are required to select your first, second, and third choice institutions. 

Be thoughtful here, make sure your choices align with your academic goals and career aspirations. 

Also, ensure that the courses you choose match your O’Level subject combination to avoid disqualification later on.

Step 6: Complete and Review Your Registration Form

Before finalizing your registration, carefully review every detail on your form. 

This is your chance to correct any errors. 

Once you’re sure everything is accurate, confirm and submit the form. 

Remember, mistakes at this stage can affect your admission chances, so take your time.

Step 7: Print Your Registration Slip

Finally, once your registration is successful, print out your registration slip. 

This slip is important, it contains your unique registration number, which you need for everything from checking your exam date to accessing your results. Keep it safe and accessible.

Know the Common Mistakes to Avoid During UTME Registration

While preparing for the UTME, it’s crucial to understand the common mistakes you can make during the registration process so you can avoid them. 

These mistakes can cause unnecessary delays, confusion, or even disqualification. 

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common pitfalls and how to steer clear of them:

• Providing incorrect personal information: One of the most frequent mistakes you can make is submitting inaccurate personal details, ensure that your name, date of birth, gender, and state of origin match exactly with the information on your NIN.

• Choosing the wrong subject combination: Ensure you don’t select the wrong subject combination for your chosen course, before you register, double-check your selected subjects, make sure you align with the requirements for your intended course of study. 

• Failing to meet the age requirement: While it seems simple, not meeting the age requirement is another common mistake, to be eligible for the UTME, you need to be at least 16 years old by the time of admission. 

• Not having the right documents: Forgetting essential documents like your National Identification Number (NIN), O’Level results, or passport photograph is a mistake many candidates make, prepare all necessary documents well in advance, including your NIN slip, a recent passport photo that meets JAMB’s guidelines, and a valid O’Level result.

• Registering at non accredited centers: Another costly error is attempting to register at an unaccredited JAMB CBT center, only accredited centers are authorized to process your registration, so make sure you visit a legitimate center to avoid invalidating your registration.

• Rushing through the registration process: Unlike many candidates, don’t rush through the registration, not reviewing their details carefully, take your time to review each section thoroughly before finalizing your registration.

• Overlooking payment and E-PIN details: After purchasing your ePIN, ensure it is the correct one for your registration, don’t ever forget to collect their payment receipt, never lose your ePIN after purchase. 

• Not keeping track of registration deadlines: Missing the registration deadline can be disastrous, never delay your registration until the last minute, only to realize that the portal has closed. 

Take the Next Steps After Registration

After successfully completing your UTME 2025 registration, the journey isn’t over yet. 

There are still a few important steps you need to take to ensure you’re fully prepared for the exam. 

Here’s what you need to do next:

• Monitor your email and sms for updates: Once your registration is complete, keep an eye on the email address and phone number you provided during registration, JAMB is going to send important updates, such as your exam center, date, and time, as well as any other relevant information. 

• Prepare for the JAMB mock examination (Optional): If you opted for the mock exam during registration, you need to prepare for it, the mock exam gives you a good idea of what to expect in the actual UTME. 

• Review your registration details: Double-check all the information provided during registration, including your personal details, exam center, and selected course, if you notice any mistakes, report them to JAMB as soon as possible, errors that go uncorrected can lead to complications on exam day.

• Gather necessary exam materials: As the exam day approaches, make sure you have all the necessary materials ready, this includes your registration slip, identification (NIN slip or other forms of ID), and any other documents JAMB specifies. 

• Practice using JAMB’s recommended past questions: Start reviewing past UTME questions and practice with available mock exams or practice tests, this can help you understand some important topics

• Check for any updates or changes: Keep up with any changes or updates from JAMB. Sometimes, there are going to be updates to the exam schedule or new instructions related to the registration or exam process, visit the official JAMB website or social media channels for the latest news.

• Stay calm and confident: With everything in place, your focus can now be on staying calm and confident as you prepare for the big day, stick to a study schedule, keep stress levels low, and remember that proper preparation is key to performing well.