As the 2025/2026 admission season gathers momentum, education stakeholders have continued to guide candidates on how best to maximise their chances during the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration process, particularly regarding the often-misunderstood issue of second-choice institutions.
Under the JAMB framework, candidates are allowed to select a first-choice and second-choice university, while applicants to polytechnics and colleges of education may choose up to four institutions. However, education experts emphasise that not all universities consider candidates who select them as second choice, regardless of UTME performance.
Most top-tier and highly competitive federal universities are known to prioritise candidates who list them as first choice. In many cases, such institutions do not process applications from second-choice candidates, even when they meet official cut-off marks.
However, several federal universities—particularly newer or less competitive ones—have consistently shown openness to admitting candidates who choose them as second choice, subject to departmental requirements and post-UTME screening performance.
Federal universities that generally accept second-choice candidates include:
- Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State
- Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State
- Federal University, Dutse (FUD), Jigawa State
- Federal University, Birnin Kebbi (FUBK), Kebbi State
- Federal University, Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Katsina State
- Federal University, Gashua (FUGASHUA), Yobe State
- Federal University, Lafia (FULAFIA), Nasarawa State
- Federal University, Gusau (FUGUS), Zamfara State
- Federal University, Kashere (FUKASHERE), Gombe State
- Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State
- Federal University, Otuoke (FUOTUOKE), Bayelsa State
- Federal University, Wukari (FUWUKARI), Taraba State
- University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Borno State
Beyond federal institutions, state universities are widely recognised for their flexible admission policies. Education analysts note that most state-owned universities accept second-choice candidates as part of efforts to broaden access to higher education.
State universities that generally accept second-choice candidates include:
- Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU)
- Adamawa State University, Mubi (ADSU)
- Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU)
- Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli (COOU)
- Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Calabar
- Other state universities across Delta, Enugu, Lagos, Osun, and several other states
Private universities remain the most accommodating category, as virtually all private institutions accept candidates who list them as second choice, often operating more flexible and student-centred admission processes.
Private universities that generally accept second-choice candidates include:
- American University of Nigeria, Yola
- Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo
- Covenant University, Ota
- Gregory University, Uturu
- Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo
- Novena University, Ogume
- Paul University, Awka
- Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene
- Tansian University, Oba
- University of Mkar, Gboko
- Other private institutions such as Afe Babalola University, Bowen University, and Landmark University
Admission counsellors have advised candidates to align their first and second choices with their UTME scores, competitiveness of institutions, and long-term academic goals, noting that a strategic second choice can significantly improve admission prospects.
They also stress the importance of regularly checking official university portals and admission guidelines, as policies on second-choice acceptance may change annually based on institutional capacity and regulatory decisions.
As the admission process progresses nationwide, experts maintain that informed and realistic choices during JAMB registration remain one of the strongest determinants of admission success for Nigerian students.
