Education advisers have called on candidates in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to approach the process of change of course and institution with strategy and informed decision-making, warning that poor timing and emotional choices continue to cost many applicants their admission chances annually.
The guidance comes as thousands of candidates begin to assess their prospects following the release of UTME results, a critical stage that often determines whether a candidate should retain or adjust their initial choices.
Experts emphasised that candidates should only consider making changes after reviewing their UTME scores and aligning them with realistic admission benchmarks.
According to admission consultants, candidates who scored below the expected cut-off marks for highly competitive courses or institutions should consider alternatives early, rather than waiting until the admission process is far advanced.
They also warned against making decisions based on peer pressure or fear, stressing that such actions often lead to poor outcomes.
Analysts note that understanding one’s score range is essential in making the right decision.
Candidates within the 150–180 range have been advised to avoid highly competitive courses such as Medicine, Law, and Nursing, while those in the 180–220 bracket are encouraged to target less competitive programmes and institutions.
For candidates scoring 220 and above, experts say admission chances are stronger but still require careful planning, especially in highly sought-after universities.
“Admission is not just about what you want; it is about what is realistically achievable based on your performance and subject combination,” an admission officer noted.
Stakeholders stressed that early action significantly improves admission prospects.
The best window for making changes, they say, is before the closure of Post-UTME applications or immediately a candidate identifies low chances of admission into their initial choice.
Late changes, according to them, may affect eligibility for screening exercises and reduce visibility during admission consideration.
Candidates seeking to change their course or institution are required to follow the official procedure through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board portal.
The process includes accessing the correction of data section, selecting the preferred option, making the required payment, and confirming all entries before submission.
Admission officers advise candidates to double-check details to avoid errors that could complicate their applications.
Despite repeated warnings, several candidates continue to make avoidable mistakes.
These include switching from one competitive course to another without improving eligibility, ignoring O’Level subject requirements, following friends blindly, and making last-minute changes.
Education stakeholders warn that such decisions often lead to outright disqualification or missed opportunities.
Experts maintain that successful candidates typically adopt a structured approach—choosing courses that align with their scores, considering institutions with moderate competition, and keeping alternative options.
They stress that admission success is driven more by planning and accurate information than by personal preference alone.
Stakeholders further clarified that changing course or institution should not be seen as a setback but as a strategic move.
“It is not failure. It is an informed adjustment that increases your chances,” an education consultant explained.
With the 2026 admission cycle underway, candidates are urged to act decisively and intelligently, as the choices made at this stage could determine their academic future.
