JAMB 2025: Everything You Should Know About New Admission Rules and Rankings: The 2025 admission process in Nigeria is taking a new turn following major announcements by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) during its annual policy meeting. These changes affect how scores are judged, admission deadlines, ranking systems, and more. While the reforms are meant to improve the system, many Nigerians are reacting with mixed feelings.
Let’s explore what’s new and what it means for you as an admission seeker in 2025.
Cut-off Marks Remain Flexible Across Institutions
JAMB has approved the following minimum scores for admission into tertiary institutions:
- Federal and State Universities – 150
- Colleges of Nursing – 140
- Polytechnics – 100
- Colleges of Agriculture and Education – 100
These are only baseline scores. Schools can set higher cut-offs for certain competitive courses like Law, Medicine, and Engineering.
New Deadlines for 2025 Admissions
Schools are now working with stricter deadlines to conclude admissions:
- Public Universities: Must finish all admissions by October 2025
- Private Institutions: Have until November to December 2025
Delays in accepting or offering admissions will no longer be tolerated, as new time-bound rules apply.
Admission Offers Will Now Expire
If a candidate is recommended to a school by JAMB, that school must accept or reject the recommendation within 2 weeks.
Similarly, if a candidate receives an offer of admission, they must accept or decline it within 4 weeks.
No action within that period? The admission offer becomes invalid. This change forces both institutions and candidates to act quickly.
Top 10 JAMB Candidates in 2025 UTME
JAMB published the list of the top 10 candidates this year based on UTME performance. Most of them are engineering hopefuls aiming for UNILAG and other prestigious universities:
- Nzekwe Chinedu Chielotan – 379, UNILAG, Mechanical Engineering
- Ayuba Simon-Peter John – 378, UNILAG, Mechanical Engineering
- Jimoh Abdulmutalib Olayinka – 374, UNILAG, Mechanical Engineering
- Roberts Daniels Ayiba – 373, UNILAG, Mechanical Engineering
- Ononogbu Chigozirim Chibuozor – 373, UNILAG, Electrical/Electronics Engineering
- Olawoye Garrudee Tumise – 371, UNILAG, Mechanical Engineering
- Afiunu Ofeoritse Leslie – 369, Covenant University, Computer Science
- Azayiseme Samuel Chukwumeka – 369, Covenant University, Mechanical Engineering
- Oyelude Oluwapemisi Emmanuel – 369, OAU, Aerospace Engineering
- Omigie Osaiogho Cecil – 367, UI, Mechanical Engineering
Most Popular Universities in 2025
If you’re applying to any of these schools, expect stiff competition. These are the most sought-after universities this year:
- LASU – 79,000 applications
- UNILAG – 58,645
- UNILORIN – 56,734
- FUOYE – 52,103
- UNIZIK – 51,467
- UI – 48,291
- UNN – 46,542
- UNIBEN – 45,686
- OAU – 43,777
Students choosing these institutions will face tighter screening, especially for top courses.
Scores Don’t Tell the Full Story – Rankings Now Matter More
One of the biggest changes announced by JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, is that UTME is no longer an achievement test, but a ranking test.
This means your UTME score alone doesn’t determine your admission. Instead, your rank compared to other applicants applying for the same course at the same school is what matters.
For example:
If you scored 278 in Nursing and others applying to that course scored higher, you may still miss out despite a good score if your rank falls below the available admission quota.
Updated JAMB Result Slips to Show Rank
From now on, all JAMB result slips will include your score and national ranking.
Here’s what that looks like:
- Score: 370 → Rank: 16th in the nation
- Score: 200 → Rank: 533,005
- Score: 140 → Rank: 1.5 million+
This helps candidates understand how competitive they are nationally, not just based on their raw scores.
Most Competitive Courses Remain Tough to Enter
Medical courses remain the hardest to gain admission into. Out of 570,000+ applicants, only about 115,000 are expected to be admitted.
That means less than 1 in 5 students will secure a slot in Medicine or related fields. Candidates applying for Medicine should prepare a Plan B in case they don’t make the cut.
Admission Process Now Favours Merit
JAMB now insists that schools must admit 90% of candidates based strictly on merit before using factors like internal recommendations or “connections.”
This is to stop illegal admissions and manipulation of the process. All admissions must also be processed through CAPS JAMB’s Central Admission Processing System which ensures transparency.
Age Requirement Still Stands
The minimum age for university admission remains 16 years. If you’re younger, you won’t be eligible for admission, even if your score is high.
Mixed Reactions from Students and Parents
Not everyone is happy with the changes. Some students and parents have criticized the new ranking-based system, saying it could be used to unfairly deny deserving candidates.
Others argue it levels the playing field and encourages transparency. Still, many fear that candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds may struggle more under this new system.
Here’s the advice from Us
- If your score isn’t high enough for your preferred course, consider switching to another course that your score can get you into. Don’t waste your score on a course with low chances.
- Stay away from “runs” (unofficial means of gaining admission). With the new policy, admission through this means is limited and space is small. Instead, focus on working hard to get your course through merit-based admission rather than relying on paying someone, as it may not work out.
Final Note: What This Means Going Forward
If you’re planning to gain admission into a Nigerian university in 2025, here’s what you should remember:
Don’t just aim for high scores aim to be among the top-ranking candidates for your course and school.
Pay close attention to deadlines and respond quickly to offers or updates.
Choose your course and institution wisely, especially if you’re applying to a highly competitive school or program.
Understand that merit-based ranking is now the standard.
If you stay informed and follow these new guidelines, your chances of gaining admission will greatly improve — even in this more competitive and fast-changing system.
