For many Nigerian students, the most daunting hurdle on the path to university admission is the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam. It’s a name that evokes anxiety, frustration, and, for some, even despair, because for countless students, JAMB has become a roadblock that delays their academic journey for years after completing their SSCE.
It’s not uncommon to find students who have sat for JAMB four or more times, each year, hoping for a breakthrough. That’s four years spent at home, caught in a cycle of preparation, anticipation, and disappointment, years that could have been spent earning a degree, considering that most university programs in Nigeria last just as long.
The reality is harsh. By the time some students finally gain admission, their peers who had smoother paths are already graduating. What’s more frustrating is that many of these students don’t necessarily fail; some score above 200 and still aren’t offered admission. Often, it’s not just about the score—it’s about limited slots, competition, and lack of information.
A particularly overlooked fact is that some accredited institutions in Nigeria offer admission without requiring JAMB. Sadly, many students and parents remain unaware of these alternatives and continue to rely solely on the traditional route, unaware that a different, less frustrating path exists.
Before we dive into the list of universities that offer admission without JAMB, it’s important to first introduce you to the alternative programs that make this possible. These programs serve as recognised pathways to secure admission and are accepted by several universities across Nigeria that don’t rely on JAMB for entry.
These alternatives include:
JUPEB (Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board)
IJMB (Interim Joint Matriculation Board)
Diploma or Pre-Degree Programs
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)
Completing any of these programs can open the door to gaining admission without going through the traditional JAMB route.
Universities that grant admission without JAMB through the JUPEB program
University of Lagos (UNILAG)
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
Federal University of Technology, Owerri
Lead University, Ibadan
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUTA)
Bowen University, Iwo
Read Also: Five admission options for low JAMB scores in Nigeria
University of Uyo, Uyo
Caleb University, Imota
University of Benin (UNIBEN)
University of Port Harcourt
Delta State University (DELSU)
NOTE: ALL private universities accept JUPEB.
Nigerian universities that accept IJMB for admission
University of Ilorin
University of Abuja
Ahmadu Bello University
Delta State University
University of Agriculture, Makurdi
Bayero University, Kano
Lagos State University
Federal University of Technology, Minna
University of Jos
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Unizik
Nasarawa State University