How To Know If You’ve Been Admitted by a University or Polytechnic in Nigeria: Every student who finishes secondary school dreams of one thing — gaining admission into their chosen university or polytechnic.
But after writing WAEC/NECO, JAMB, and Post-UTME, many candidates start asking, “How do I know if I’ve been admitted?” That’s a good question. However, the answer isn’t always instant because admission goes through a process behind the scenes.
Let me break it down for you — in a way that’s clear, direct, and easy to understand.
What Happens Before Admission Is Released?
Most schools don’t just pick names randomly. They work with a set number of slots. For instance, let’s say the department of Computer Science has only 100 available spaces. The school will then check the scores of applicants and set a cut-off mark that fits that number.
So if the general performance is high, the cut-off might be 70%. That way, only those who score 70% and above can fill those 100 slots.
This process is one reason why admissions take time. So, it’s important to stay calm and patient.
Two Main Ways to Check If You’ve Been Admitted
There are two trusted methods to know if you’ve been offered admission:
- Through JAMB CAPS
- Through the school’s admission portal
Let’s talk about each.
1. JAMB CAPS Portal
CAPS (Central Admissions Processing System) is JAMB’s official platform to manage admissions. It was introduced to stop fake or illegal admissions and to make the process more transparent.
Here’s how it works:
Once your school decides to offer you admission, they upload your name to JAMB.
JAMB then updates your status on CAPS.
If you’ve been admitted, you’ll see a message like “Admitted” and a button to either accept or reject the offer.
If not yet, you may see “Admission in progress” or “Not admitted” — don’t panic!
Important Note: You can’t be admitted on CAPS unless your school sends your name to JAMB first.
So, if it’s still showing “admission in progress,” it means your school hasn’t finalized things yet.
2. School Portal
Some schools update their admission status on their own website before it appears on JAMB CAPS.
That means:
You may already be admitted on your school’s portal, but your JAMB CAPS still says “admission in progress.”
This delay happens because the school hasn’t yet forwarded the names to JAMB.
Also, some schools will even ask you to check your status on their portal before heading to CAPS.
That’s why it’s smart to:
- Visit your school’s official website often
- Look for any updates on admission lists
- Read every instruction carefully
If you see your name on the school portal but not yet on CAPS, don’t panic. It usually gets updated soon after.
What If Your Status Isn’t Changing?
Sometimes your CAPS keeps saying “admission in progress” even after your friends have been admitted.
Here’s what you can do:
Wait a few days or weeks — admissions are uploaded in batches
Contact your school’s admission office and ask if your name has been sent to JAMB
Don’t try to force it — once your name is approved, it’ll reflect on CAPS
But remember: You need to accept your admission on CAPS before JAMB can issue you an official admission letter.
Final Tips for Admission Seekers
Always monitor both JAMB CAPS and your school’s portal
Be patient — admissions are processed in phases
If you’re unsure, ask questions from your school’s admission unit
Once you’re offered admission, accept it quickly on CAPS to avoid losing it
In Summary:
- To know if you’ve been admitted into a Nigerian university or polytechnic:
- Check JAMB CAPS regularly
- Visit your school portal for updates
- Understand that both platforms work together, not separately
Stay patient and follow instructions carefully
Your dream admission is very possible. Just stay informed and don’t miss any updates.
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