How to Get Admission into Nigerian University in 2026

How to get admission into Nigerian university in 2026 and how to gain admission without writing JAMB are the most searched topics among students preparing for UTME and Direct Entry.

Today, gaining admission into top Nigerian universities such as UNILAG, OAU, LASU, UNICAL, UNILORIN, UI, UNIZIK, and others has become more competitive than ever.

Courses such as Medicine, Law, Med Lab Science, Accounting, Radiography, Nursing Science, and Engineering are now among the most sought-after, making the admission process even more competitive.

However, the good news is that with the right information, proper guidance, and by meeting the specific admission requirements for your chosen course and programme, you can significantly increase your chances of getting admitted.

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As an aspirant, candidate, or JAMBite hoping to enter a higher institution in Nigeria, we understand that navigating the entire admission process can be confusing and suspenseful.

This is why we created this comprehensive Naijaclass Academy Guide on how to get admission into Nigerian university in the 2026/2027 academic session.

This guide serves as a roadmap which makes your journey into the university, polytechnic, college of education, or school of nursing easier, clearer, and more achievable.

In this guide, you will learn the major ways to gain admission in Nigeria, the key requirements, and how you can get admitted without writing JAMB-UTME in 2026.

How to Get Admission into Nigerian University in 2026

Here are 5 important steps you must take to gain admission this year:

Obtain O’level (SSCE) Result and Meet Age Requirement
Research and choose an Institution and Course
Register and Take 2026 JAMB UTME
Buy and Register for 2026 Post-UTME Screening
Wait for Admission and Monitor JAMB CAPS Portal

1. Obtain O’level (SSCE) Result and Meet Age Requirement

The first and most important requirement for gaining admission into any Nigerian university is your Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) result, commonly referred to as O’level.

You must have at least five (5) credits, including English Language and Mathematics, in not more than two sittings.

These credits must also include subjects relevant to the course you want to study.

Accepted O’level exam bodies include:

WAEC	West African Examinations Council
NECO	National Examinations Council
NABTEB	National Business and Technical Examinations Board
GCE	General Certificate of Education

Please note that some top institutions, such as UNILAG, UI, and LASU only accept one sitting for competitive courses like Medicine, Law, and Nursing Science.

If you don’t have your result yet, you can apply using “Awaiting Result”, as long as you are sure you will get it before the 2026 admission deadline.

If you are a Direct Entry (DE) candidate, you must have a strong result or merit from any of the following programmes:

ND	National Diploma
HND	Higher National Diploma
JUPEB	Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board
IJMB	Interim Joint Matriculation Board
Other recognised DE qualifications

Additionally, you must meet the 2026/2027 minimum admission age requirement of 16 years.

This means that you must be at least 16 years old on or before October 2026 to be eligible for admission into any Nigerian university, polytechnic, or college of education.

2. Research and Choose an Institution and Course

Once you have met the basic admission requirements, the next step on how to get admission into a Nigerian university is to carefully research and choose your preferred course and institution.

Choose a university, polytechnic, or college of education that has a strong reputation, qualified lecturers, well-equipped facilities, and full accreditation.

Before applying, ensure that your chosen course is fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) or relevant authority.

Some of the key factors you should consider before choosing an Institution include:

Location of the school
Tuition fees, school fees, and hostel costs
Off-campus accommodation and cost of living
Lifestyle and environment
Catchment area and admission quota
Recent admission statistics

Furthermore, when choosing a course, don’t just follow trends or pressure from family and friends.

Take time to research the course and programme you want to study before applying.

University life can be demanding, and the only way to stay motivated is to study a course that aligns with your passion and future career goals.

Avoid applying for a course just because it is popular.

Choosing a course of study should be a personal decision because it can shape your future.

If you are confused or need help choosing the right course or school, you can contact Naijaclass Academy Assistant for one-on-one consultation and guidance.

3. Register and Take 2026 JAMB UTME

After meeting the first and second admission requirements, the next step is to register 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

JAMB-UTME 2026 is the main mode of admission entry into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, colleges of nursing, and education.

Visit the link below to learn more about JAMB and how to buy the form and register online, or visit www.jamb.gov.ng for more info.

4. Buy and Register for 2026 Post-UTME Screening

The fourth important step on how to get admission into a Nigerian university in 2026 is to buy and register for the 2026 Post-UTME screening exercise of your chosen institution.

After the 2026 JAMB UTME, all tertiary institutions in Nigeria will conduct Post-UTME exams or an online admission screening for candidates seeking admission into their programmes.

This screening can take two forms:

Online Screening: Where you upload your O’level result, JAMB result, and personal details to the school’s portal for verification.
Aptitude Test: You will be invited to sit for a computer-based test (CBT) exam in the school premises or online.

For example:

DELSU conducts aptitude test for Post-UTME candidates, while direct entry (DE) candidates only register and submit their documents online for screening.
Lagos State University (LASU), on the other hand, conducts online screening without any written exam for UTME and Direct Entry candidates.

Always visit the official website of your chosen institution regularly for accurate information on when the Post-UTME form will be available.

5. Wait for Admission and Monitor JAMB CAPS

The final step on how to get admission into a Nigerian university in 2026 is to wait for your admission and consistently monitor your 2026 JAMB CAPS Portal.

If you are offered admission:

Only accept if the course and school match what you applied for.
Do not rush to accept an admission offer simply because you are tired of staying at home
Always remember what we discussed in Step 2
Accepting a course you dislike may lead to regrets or frustration later in your academic journey.

Additional Information

To gain admission easily, strive to score high in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The higher your JAMB score, the better your chances of being considered for admission, especially into top universities and competitive courses.

You can read our guide on how to score How To Score 280 In 2026 JAMB CBT Exam (100% Sure) to prepare effectively.

Apply for less competitive courses if your UTME score is below 200.

This is because less competitive courses have lower JAMB and Post UTME cut-off marks, which makes it easy for you to get admission.

If you are a direct entry candidate and your ND, HND, IJMB, or JUPEB result is lower credit, don’t apply for highly competitive courses like Medicine, Nursing, Law, and related fields.

These courses are competitive and have a high cut-off mark.

Read our guide on courses to study with a low JAMB score in the 2026/2027 academic session.

Most importantly, make sure you choose the correct JAMB subject combination for your course.

A wrong UTME subject combination can automatically disqualify you from admission, even if you score high.

How to Gain Admission Into Nigerian University Without Writing JAMB 2026

Although JAMB-UTME remains the primary method of entering higher institutions in Nigeria, it is not the only option available.

Below, we have explained seven major ways you can gain admission without writing JAMB-UTME in 2026.

These alternative methods have made it possible for many of our students to gain admission without the stress of sitting for UTME.

Requirements for University Admission Without JAMB 2026

The only requirement for admission without JAMB is five (5) O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics.

WAEC, NECO and NABTEB results are accepted.

Below is seven methods to gain admission without taking JAMB-UTME in 2026:

1.	JAMB Direct Entry
2.	IJMB Programme
3.	JUPEB Programme
4.	Diploma Programme
5.	Pre-degree Programmes and Part-time
6.	NOUN Online Programmes
7.	Studying Abroad

1. JAMB Direct Entry Admission

If you have IJMB, JUPEB, ND, HND or a degree, you can apply for direct admission, and you will start from 200 level.

2. IJMB Programme

Without writing JAMB 2026, you can still gain admission through the Interim Joint Admission Matriculation Board (IJMB).

IJMB is a nine (9) month advanced-level programme.

Once you have completed the 9-month IJMB programme, you will be offered admission into 200 level to study your desired course.

3. JUPEB Programme

Through the Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board (JUPEB), you can gain admission without taking 2026 JAMB-UTME.

JUPEB programme is a one-year advanced-level course through which students get direct admission into 200-level.

The curriculum is equivalent to A-level qualifications and provides intensive preparation.

Once you have completed the 1-year JUPEB programme, you will be offered admission into 200 level.

4. Diploma Programme

Many universities, such as Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) and the University of Calabar (UNICAL), offer diploma programmes in Law, Accounting, Political Science, and other courses.

Diploma is a 1-2 year programme, depending on the course you are applying to study.

Once you have completed the diploma programme, you will be offered admission into 200 level to study your desired course.

5. Pre-degree Programmes and Part-time

With Pre-degree programmes, you don’t have to sit for JAMB before getting admitted in 2026.

Pre-degree programmes equip students with the foundational knowledge and skills for degree-level studies.

University of Benin (UNIBEN) is one of the top schools that offers a pre-degree programme, available to both science and arts students.

Once you have completed the pre-degree programme, you will be offered admission into 100 or 200 Level.

6. NOUN Online Programmes

NOUN offers distance learning programmes that allow students to gain admission without writing JAMB-UTME.

You can apply for National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes by visiting www.nou.edu.ng.

7. Study Abroad

If you are interested in considering international education this year, many foreign universities do not require JAMB for admission.

However, you must meet specific academic and language requirements, such as proof of English proficiency and relevant academic records.

How to Get Admission into Nigerian University

How to Get Admission into Nigerian University in 2026

How to Get Admission into Nigerian University in 2026

1. Obtain O’level (SSCE) Result and Meet Age Requirement