How To Get Admitted Into University in Nigeria (2026 Update)

Looking for how to get admitted into University in Nigeria? You’re in the right place.

Getting admission into a Nigerian university can sometimes feel stressful, especially when you keep hearing stories about people writing JAMB again and again.

However, the truth is that if you follow the right steps, prepare well, and stay focused, you can get admitted without much trouble, passing JAMB, handling post-UTME, and making smart choices that increase your chances of gaining admission.

Whether you are a first-time applicant or rewriting JAMB, this well-researched guide will help you stay on track.

Let’s discuss further in detail as you learn all.

What You Need to Do to Get Admitted into a University in Nigeria

Below are the important steps you must follow if you want to enter a Nigerian university successfully.

1. Understand the Admission Process in Nigeria 

Before anything else, you need to understand how university admission works in Nigeria.

Most people fail not because they are not intelligent, but because they do not understand the process.

The Nigerian Admission System Has Three Main Stages 

• Stage 1: Register and sit for JAMB UTME
• Stage 2: Write Post-UTME or Screening
• Stage 3: Upload your O-level (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB) to the JAMB Portal
• Stage 4: Wait for JAMB CAPS to offer you admission

Other Things That Affect Admission 

• The course you choose
• The university cut-off mark
• Your O-level subject grades
• The number of applicants competing with you
• If you meet the school’s admission quota

When you understand these, you can plan better.

2. Choose a Course That Matches Your Strengths 

One of the biggest mistakes many students make is choosing a course just because it is popular.

Courses like Medicine, Law, Nursing, and Engineering have very high competition.

How to Choose the Right Course 

Before you choose a course to study in a University in Nigeria, ask yourself these questions:

• What subjects am I naturally good at?
• What career do I want in the future?
• Do I have a passion for this field?
• Is this course realistic based on my strengths?

Choose a Course With Lower Competition

If you want to enter school fast, you can pick a course with:

• Lower competition
• Lower cut-off
• More admission slots

For example:

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Agricultural Science
• Education courses
• Industrial Mathematics
• Linguistics, etc.

It’s not about choosing an easy course; it’s about being smart.

3. Choose the Right University 

Every school in Nigeria has a different admission pattern. Some admit easily, and some are extremely competitive.

Federal Universities 

• More competitive
• High cut-off
• Cheaper fees
• Harder to enter

State Universities 

• Moderate competition
• Fair cut-off
• Higher fees than federal schools

Private Universities

• Lowest competition
• Higher fees
• You can gain admission easily with the right requirements

Tip for You on How to Get Admitted into University in Nigeria

If your goal is to enter university fast, consider mixing your choices:

• 1 Federal University
• 1 State University
• 2 Less competitive universities

This gives you multiple chances.

4. Prepare Very Well for JAMB UTME 

Your JAMB score is the most important part of your admission journey.

How to Score High in JAMB 

Here are simple tips that work:

• Start reading at least 3 to 4 months before the exam
• Use JAMB past questions daily
• Study your recommended textbooks
• Practice CBT tests online
• Focus more on the subjects you find difficult
• Join a study group or watch YouTube lessons

Avoid Common Mistakes 

• Don’t read only the night before

• Don’t rely on Expo.
• Don’t cram entire textbooks
• Don’t skip topics because you find them hard

I assure you, if you prepare well, scoring above 250+ becomes easier.

5. Write Post-UTME or Screening with Confidence 

Most schools in Nigeria conduct either:

• Post-UTME exam, or
• Physical/online screening

How to Pass Post-UTME 

• Study the school’s past questions
• Focus on speed because Post-UTME is usually faster than JAMB
• Practice English, Maths, and your key subjects
• Stay calm and avoid exam panic

If Your School Does Screening Only 

Screening usually checks:

• Your JAMB score
• Your O-level grades
• Age
• State of origin (for quota reasons)

Make sure your documents are clear, correct, and well-uploaded.

6. Upload Your O-level Result Correctly 

This is a step many candidates ignore.

If you do not upload your O-level results to the JAMB Portal, you will not get admission even if you score 300.

Also see Important Things to Note 

• Use a certified JAMB CBT centre only
• Confirm your subjects match your course requirements
• Don’t use two different names

Required O’level Subjects Examples 

Medicine: English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Law: English, Literature, Government, CRS/IRS, any other subject
Engineering: English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry

Make sure your results match your course needs.

7. Check Your JAMB CAPS Regularly 

Your admission status is controlled by JAMB CAPS.
To avoid missing out, always check your CAPS.

What to Do on JAMB CAPS 

• Accept or reject admission when offered
• Make sure your course is correct
• Make sure your institution is correct
• Make sure your O-level is uploaded

If you don’t accept admission on time, JAMB may give your slot to another person.

8. Use JAMB Change of Course/Institution If Necessary 

If you discover your JAMB score is too low for your preferred course or school, don’t panic.

You Can Do a Change of Course or School 

This helps you switch to:

• A less competitive course
• A school with a lower cut-off

Don’t Waste a Whole Year 

If you already know you cannot meet the cut-off, make a change of course early. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

9. Consider JUPEB, IJMB, ND, or Pre-Degree 

If university admission is proving difficult, you can still enter through alternative programmes.

Popular Admission Alternatives 

• JUPEB – 200 level admission
• IJMB – 200 level admission
• Pre-Degree/Remedial – gain 100 level admission
• ND (Polytechnic) – later switched to university through Direct Entry

One thing I like about these programmes is, they’re safe, legal, and accepted.

10. Stay Focused and Avoid Distractions 

Getting admission is not about how brilliant you are alone.

Your mindset, discipline, and focus matter a lot.

Here are Common Distractions to Avoid 

• Spending too much time on social media scrolling and doing nothing instead of learning
• Procrastination. Try your best to stick to your plans.
• Listening to discouragement from others
• Depending only on luck. Although there’s luck but you need to work hard to achieve anything you want in life.

So stay focused because your future is more important than anything.

FAQs on How to Get Admitted into University in Nigeria

Q1. What is the easiest way to gain admission into a Nigerian university?

Choose a course with low competition, score high in JAMB, pass Post-UTME, upload your O-level, and check your CAPS regularly.

Q2. Can I gain admission without JAMB?

Yes. Through JUPEB, IJMB, Pre-Degree, or Polytechnic ND, and then Direct Entry. See how to gain admission without JAMB in Nigeria.

Q3. What JAMB score is good enough for admission?

Aim for 200 to 250+, depending on your course. Competitive courses require 260+.

Q4. Does O-level affect admission?

Yes. Universities use your grades to calculate your screening score.

Q5. Can I get admission with two sittings?

Yes, most universities accept two sittings, except for some competitive courses like Medicine in certain schools.

Conclusion

Getting admitted into a Nigerian university may sometimes look challenging, but if you follow the right steps listed here, prepare early, and stay consistent, your chances of getting admitted into the University will be very high.

Thankfully, you’ve learn how to get admitted into university in Nigeria. I believe with the information gotten, you can now focus on choosing the right course, preparing for JAMB, passing Post-UTME, uploading your results correctly, and checking your CAPS regularly.

Remember, you are not competing with the whole world; you’re only competing with people applying for your course.

SO With good preparation and the right mindset, you will get admitted. Just ensure you stay positive and focused on your educational goals, believing that your admission will surely come.

Good Luck!

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