As the 2025/2026 academic session approaches, several universities in Nigeria’s North Central region have commenced their Post-UTME and Direct Entry screening exercises, with registration portals now open for eligible candidates. Cut-off marks and screening schedules have also been released, making this a critical period for thousands of students seeking admission.
STAKEHOLDERS WARN CANDIDATES TO REMAIN VIGILANT
Education experts have advised applicants to exercise caution and diligence throughout the admission process. All admissions will ultimately be finalised via the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Central Admission Processing System (CAPS).
Dr. John Audu, an education policy analyst, warned candidates against scams, stressing that no institution will request payments into personal accounts. “This is a period where scammers try to take advantage of anxious students. All transactions must be carried out through official university portals, whether it’s a new institution like the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) or an established one like Kwara State University,” he said.
UNIVERSITIES AND THEIR SCREENING DETAILS
A- Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University)
Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has concluded its registration period for admission. Their admission processing schedule on their website is stated below:
UTME Cut-Off: 150
Registration Fee: ₦2,000
Registration Period: July 14 – July 28, 2025
Screening Dates: August 4 – August 22, 2025
Venue: College of Veterinary Auditorium, South Core
Time: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm daily
Requirements: JAMB result slip, O’level results (and A’level results for Direct Entry), evidence of payment, WAEC/NECO/NABTEB scratch cards for verification.
Note: Candidates are warned against paying bribes or buying scratch cards at the venue.
B- Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO)
Federal University of Health Science, Otukpo has not announced or commenced post-UTME for the 2025/2026 session.
C- Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi
Benue State University (BSU) commences Registration: July 22 – August 21, 2025
Minimum UTME Score: 160 (varies by programme) General 160,
Mass Communication, Architecture, Anatomy/Physiology, Microbiology: 180
Medical Lab Science, Radiography: 200
MBBS, Pharmacy, Nursing, Law: 220
Fee: ₦2,000 (via BSU portal). Candidates must upload results on JAMB CAPS or risk disqualification.
D- Federal University Lokoja (FUL)
The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has opened its Post-UTME Screening Portal for the 2025/2026 session. Registration runs from Monday, July 28, to Friday, August 29, 2025.
Eligibility: Candidates must score 160 and above in UTME or apply via JAMB for DE.
Screening Method: The university will use an online point-based system (PBS) due to prevailing economic and security challenges.
Requirements: Applicants must upload O’Level results on the JAMB portal before completing registration on the school portal. Fees: ₦2,000 (via REMITA).
Admission Criteria: Minimum of five credits in relevant O-Level subjects, not more than two sittings, except for Health and Pharmaceutical Sciences, which require one sitting.
The Registrar emphasised that successful screening does not guarantee automatic admission, as other criteria will be applied by the University’s Central Admissions Committee.
E- Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba
The Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) has also commenced online registration for Post-UTME/DE screening from Monday, August 4 to Friday, September 5, 2025.
Eligibility: UTME candidates must score 150 and above, while Law and Nursing Science require 200.
Screening Formula: UTME scores (70%) and O’Level results (30%).
Requirements: Five O’Level credit passes in relevant subjects and proper subject combinations.
Fee: ₦2,000.
The University advised candidates to promptly upload O’Level results on JAMB CAPS, warning that no admission will be offered without it.
F- Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara
The Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, wholly owned by the Kogi State Government, announced the commencement of admissions into all NUC-approved programmes.
Eligibility: UTME candidates with a minimum score of 150 and the right subject combinations.
Available Programmes: Faculties of Science, Computing, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Education, Agriculture, Law, and the College of Medical Sciences.
Registration Fee: ₦2,000.
Deadline: Wednesday, August 27, 2025.
Candidates are advised to ensure their O’Level results are uploaded on JAMB CAPS, as those not uploaded will not be processed for admission.
G- Kogi State University, Kabba
Admissions for the 2024/2025 session have closed. Updates for 2025/2026 are yet to be released. Kogi State University, Kabba
The newly established Kogi State University, Kabba, founded in 2023, has closed its undergraduate admissions for the 2024/2025 session. The institution has yet to release updates for the 2025/2026 session.
H- University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
At the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), the Post-UTME screening registration began on Monday, 28th July 2025, and will close on Sunday, 17th August 2025. According to the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun, mnipr, only candidates who scored a minimum of 180 in the UTME are eligible to apply. Interested applicants are to visit the University’s website
I- Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete
For students considering the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, online registration commenced on Friday, 18th July 2025, and will also close on Sunday, 17th August 2025. KWASU emphasised that admission will be based on an aggregate of UTME/DE scores (70%) and O’level performance (30%). Candidates are required to have five relevant O’level credits in not more than two sittings, except for the MBBS programme, which accepts only one sitting. The University also warned that wrong entries or falsification of documents will lead to automatic disqualification and possible prosecution. Registration is strictly online through portal.kwasu.edu.ng, with a screening fee of ₦2,000.
K- Kwara State University of Education (KWASUED), Ilorin
The newly established Kwara State University of Education (KWASUED), Ilorin, has issued a reminder to 2024 UTME candidates who applied for a change of institution to KWASUED to check their admission status on JAMB CAPS without delay. Successful candidates must accept their admission offers on JAMB CAPS and proceed with compulsory registration on the University’s portal.
L- Federal University of Lafia (FULafia)
Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), registration for the Post-UTME exercise began on July 21, 2025, and will close on August 22, 2025. According to a statement signed by the Registrar, Nuradeen Abdu, applicants must have at least five O’Level credits, including English and Mathematics, in no more than two sittings.
The University set a general cut-off of 170 in UTME, but higher scores are required for professional programmes: 200 for Anatomy and Physiology, 210 for Nursing and Radiography, 220 for Medical Laboratory Science, and 230 for MBBS. Direct Entry candidates must present a minimum of Merit or Lower Credit. All applicants must have chosen FULafia as their first choice.
Registration is strictly online, with a non-refundable fee of ₦2,000. Applicants are required to create a portal account, fill in biodata, verify O’Level results, and complete payment via Remita options, including MasterCard, bank branches, USSD, internet banking, or e-wallet. Importantly, all payments must be initiated on the MIS platform; otherwise, they will not be recognised.
The University emphasised that even Remedial and IJMB students must participate in the Post-UTME screening to secure admission.
M- Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK)
Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) will begin its Post-UTME/Direct Entry screening on July 28, 2025, with the exercise scheduled to end on August 29, 2025.
NSUK fixed its cut-off marks as follows: 200 for Law and Community Health Sciences, 180 for Health Information Management, Nutrition and Dietetics, Environmental Health Science, and Engineering programmes, and 170 for other programmes. For Direct Entry, candidates must hold a minimum of Lower Credit in ND, Merit in NCE, or at least 8 points in IJMB.
The registration fee is ₦2,000 and must be paid through the official portal. Applicants are required to set up a profile, upload O’Level results on their JAMB CAPS, and print the application summary. The University warned that failure to upload results on JAMB CAPS or participate in the screening will render a candidate ineligible for admission.
Additionally, candidates are reminded to accept their admission offers on JAMB CAPS within four weeks of approval or risk cancellation
N- University of Jos (UNIJOS)
At the University of Jos (UNIJOS), the management announced that the Post-UTME/Direct Entry screening will hold from August 18 to September 30, 2025, and will be conducted entirely online.
To qualify, UTME candidates must score at least 180, with higher departmental cut-off marks applied for competitive programmes. Direct Entry applicants are also eligible but must pay the stipulated fee. Importantly, only candidates who selected UNIJOS as their first choice and have uploaded their O’Level results on JAMB CAPS will be considered.
The registration fee is ₦2,000 and must be paid online via the official portal. Applicants are required to create an account, pay through Remita, and print out both the receipt and screening summary slip. The University further advised candidates to confirm they meet departmental cut-offs before applying, or else process a change of course through JAMB.
O- Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos
In Bokkos, the Plateau State University (PLASU) has opened its online screening portal for both UTME and Direct Entry applicants.
The screening involves account creation, payment of a ₦2,000 non-refundable fee (excluding bank and Remita charges), and uploading of key documents such as O’Level results, birth certificate, indigene form, passport photograph, and signature.
UTME candidates must upload their best five relevant subjects as guided by the JAMB brochure, with results not exceeding two sittings. Direct Entry candidates are expected to provide additional academic qualifications, including details of awarding institutions, discipline, and grades.
PLASU warned that false information will lead to disqualification and possible prosecution, stressing that all results must also be uploaded on JAMB CAPS to secure admission.
P- Federal University of Education, Pankshin
Federal University of Education, Panksin Portal has no admission update yet.
Federal University of Education, Pankshin has not released any admission update as of the time of filing this report.
Q- Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA)
Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA), management announced that its Pre-Admission Screening Exercise (UPASE) for both UTME and Direct Entry candidates will run from August 4 to August 31, 2025.
Applicants must score 150 and above in the UTME to be eligible, and registration will only be completed online via the official portal. A fee of ₦2,000 is required, payable through Remita. Candidates are required to log in using their JAMB registration number and one of the names they provided during JAMB registration.
The university also stressed that candidates who do not meet the subject or O’Level requirements for their chosen course will be required to change to another programme. Detailed departmental requirements, including compulsory O’Level subjects and UTME combinations for each course, are available on the FUTMINNA portal.
Screening: August 4 – August 31, 2025
Eligibility: UTME 150
Fee: ₦2,000 (via Remita)
R- Federal University of Education, Kontagora
Federal University of Education announced that it has now been fully captured on the JAMB portal. This allows candidates who did not originally select the institution to apply through a change of institution process.
According to the Director of Information and Protocol, Mr. Andrew Ibrahim, the Federal Ministry of Education has approved 34 academic programmes for the take-off of the new university. The management encouraged students and parents to take advantage of the opportunity to study in a “serene academic environment.”
Recently captured on the JAMB portal with 34 approved programmes. Students can now apply via a change of institution.
S- For state-owned institutions, updates are mixed. The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai and the Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna, have not yet released information on their 2025/2026 admission or Post-UTME registration. Students are advised to monitor the school’s official websites for announcements.
In Mokwa, the Abdulsalami Abubakar University of Agriculture and Climate Action was recently recognised by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as the 65th state university and the 277th in Nigeria. Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago received the recognition letter in December 2024, pledging his administration’s commitment to education reform.
Although the university has commenced academic activities, it is not admitting new students yet, as its matriculation programme only began on August 13, 2025.
T- University of Abuja (UNIABUJA)
Registration: August 14 – September 5, 2025
Eligibility: UTME 180+, 5 O’Level credits including English & Maths
Fee: ₦2,000 (via Remita)
School instructions for applicants: Students are reminded to finalise registration on or before September 5, 2025. Candidates intending to make changes on JAMB CAPS are advised to do so promptly to reflect on the UNIABUJA portal before the deadline. The university assured students, especially Direct Entry applicants, not to panic as their records will soon reflect. Applicants whose O’Level results are not yet showing on the UNIABUJA portal are advised to confirm that they have uploaded them on JAMB CAPS. Any delay is due to technical issues from JAMB. Students with awaiting results are encouraged to still complete their registration before the closing date. The university added that information on the next stage after Post-UTME registration will be communicated to candidates once registration closes.
Note: Prospective applicants are advised to frequently visit their chosen university’s official admissions portal for the latest updates on Post-UTME forms, eligibility criteria, payment details, and screening schedules.
