How to Improve Your Chances of Getting University Admission in Nigeria

Securing university admission in Nigeria remains intensely competitive. With over 1.2 million students completing WAEC and JAMB each year but only 630,000 admission slots available across all Nigerian universities, only about 26% of applicants succeed. Understanding how to maximize your admission prospects is essential.

The Admission Reality in 2025

The 2025 admission cycle proved particularly challenging. WAEC reported a 62.96% pass rate for five credits including English and Mathematics, one of the lowest in recent years. More than 75% of JAMB UTME candidates scored below 200 out of 400, further narrowing opportunities.

The competition is intense, and qualified students often face rejection not because they lack ability, but simply because spaces are limited. Nigerian universities have capacity for approximately 1.6 million students but admit far fewer due to infrastructure and resource constraints.

Choose Your Course Strategically

Your choice of course significantly impacts your admission chances. Unless you consistently perform far above average academically, avoid oversubscribed courses like Medicine, Pharmacy, Law, and Economics where thousands compete for dozens of slots.

Check JAMB annual statistics to identify which institutions receive the most applications. For example, institutions like University of Ilorin, University of Benin, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University consistently receive 50,000-85,000 applicants but admit only a fraction.

Strategic Course Selection Guidelines

• Choose courses where your O-level grades and JAMB subjects align perfectly with your strengths
• Research less competitive courses in your field of interest that still lead to similar career outcomes
• Consider related disciplines. For example, if Medicine proves impossible, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, or Physiotherapy may offer easier admission paths
• Be realistic about your academic standing. A first-class Industrial Chemistry graduate has better career prospects than a third-class Chemical Engineer
• Check institutional statistics before applying to avoid wasting resources on impossibly competitive programs

Get Your Subject Combination Right

Wrong subject combinations eliminate your admission chances regardless of your JAMB score. Before selecting UTME subjects, carefully verify requirements in the official JAMB brochure available at JAMB IBASS portal.

Common mistakes include science students choosing Biology instead of Chemistry for Engineering courses, or Arts students selecting subjects that do not meet university requirements for their desired programs.

WAEC has also introduced new subject combination rules. Science students can no longer take Economics, and Arts students studying Literature, Government, or History are barred from offering Economics. Plan your O-level subject combinations carefully based on your intended university course.

Subject Combination Best Practices

• Plan for flexibility: choose subject combinations that qualify you for multiple related courses
• Have a realistic backup course that uses the same JAMB subjects
• Understand that you cannot change JAMB subjects after registration, only the course
• Ensure your O-level subjects and JAMB subjects both meet requirements for your target course

Understand the NUC Admission Policy

Nigerian universities follow the National Universities Commission admission policy requiring institutions to admit students based on Merit (45%), Catchment Area (35%), and Educationally Less Developed States or ELDS (20%).

This policy creates interesting dynamics. A candidate from an educationally less privileged state like Bauchi, Benue, or Ebonyi with a moderate score of 180 may gain admission more easily than a candidate from Anambra or Lagos with 240, particularly in southern universities where most applicants come from the South East and South West.

If you are from an ELDS, strategically choose universities in regions where you are underrepresented. The competition for ELDS quota is often less intense than Merit or Catchment categories.

Excel in Your JAMB and Post-UTME

Many universities now calculate admission scores as averages of JAMB UTME and Post-UTME performances, making both equally important. Others use point systems combining O-level grades and JAMB scores.

JAMB Preparation Strategy

• Start preparation at least 4-6 months before the examination
• Use official JAMB past questions to understand question patterns
• Focus on your weakest subjects first, then maintain strength in strong subjects
• Practice with timed mock examinations to improve speed and accuracy
• Join structured preparation classes or use online platforms like Ulearngo JAMB practice tests
• Register early when JAMB opens to secure preferred examination dates and centers

Post-UTME Success Factors

• Obtain and study past questions specific to your target institution
• Understand your university Post-UTME format (number of questions, time limits, subjects tested)
• Some institutions test only your JAMB subjects, others include General Knowledge or Current Affairs
• Practice speed - many Post-UTME exams require answering 60 questions in 40-45 minutes
• Follow instructions precisely during the exam, especially regarding answer sheet completion

Be Realistic About Institution Choice

Choosing the wrong institution wastes precious years. Some universities are heavily oversubscribed, admitting only the very best applicants. Other equally good federal institutions may have lower competition for the same programs.

Research institutional admission statistics before making your choice. If your academic performance is average, choose institutions where you can realistically compete rather than aiming only for the most prestigious options.

Also consider your second-choice institution carefully. If your first choice proves too competitive, your second choice should be a realistic fallback where your scores qualify you for admission.

Timing and Supplementary Admissions

Do not rely on supplementary or shopping admissions as a primary strategy. During supplementary admissions, many high-scoring candidates who missed admission in competitive courses compete for remaining spaces in less competitive programs.

Your chances are better getting admitted through Merit in a less competitive course as your first choice than competing during supplementary admissions where cut-off marks may actually increase due to spillover from competitive programs.

Alternative Pathways

If traditional university admission proves difficult, consider these quality alternatives:

Polytechnics

Nigerian polytechnics offer National Diploma programs with lower cut-off marks (typically 100-140) and more accessible admission requirements. After completing ND with minimum CGPA of 2.50 and one year industrial experience, you can pursue Higher National Diploma, then potentially enter university at 200-level through direct entry.

IJMB Programs

The Interim Joint Matriculation Board Examination (IJMB) provides an alternative route. Successfully completing this one-year advanced-level program allows direct entry into 200-level of Nigerian universities, bypassing JAMB entirely.

Colleges of Education

Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) programs prepare you for teaching careers while keeping university options open through part-time or direct entry pathways after completion.

Avoid Costly Mistakes

Many students waste money and time on fraudulent admission schemes:

• Never pay agents promising guaranteed university admission
• All legitimate admissions must be processed through JAMB Central Admissions Processing System accessible at JAMB e-Facility portal
• Verify admission offers directly on institutional websites before making any payments
• Be wary of suspiciously easy admission offers from unaccredited institutions
• Report fraudulent activities to JAMB or institutional authorities

Stay Informed and Prepared

Education policies and admission procedures change regularly. The 2025 budget allocated 3.52 trillion Naira to education, representing about 7% of total spending, below UNESCO 15-20% recommendation. These funding constraints affect institutional capacities and admission opportunities.

Monitor announcements from official sources including JAMB and WAEC for accurate information about deadlines and requirements.

Educational platforms like Ulearngo provide current information on admission processes, institutional requirements, and preparation resources specifically for Nigerian students.

Remember that improving your admission chances requires strategic thinking, not just academic excellence. Many brilliant students waste years pursuing impossible targets while overlooking realistic opportunities that could launch successful careers. Make informed choices based on honest assessment of your capabilities and the competitive landscape.