The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a new directive mandating all Nigerian tertiary institutions to complete their 2025 admissions within fixed timelines. Public universities must finalise admissions by 31 October 2025, private universities by 30 November 2025, while other tertiary institutions have until 31 December 2025.
The policy was announced after the 2025 JAMB Policy Meeting chaired by the Honourable Minister of Education, where the board stressed that institutions must conclude admissions within the prescribed deadlines, regardless of when they intend to commence academic sessions.
Why JAMB Introduced the New Admission Schedule
According to JAMB, the decision was taken to stabilise the academic calendar and ensure fair access to admission slots across all categories of tertiary institutions.
The board directed institutions conducting post-UTME examinations to conclude their screening exercises on time to avoid missing the new deadlines. By this directive, no admissions will be processed or recognised after the stipulated dates.
Stern Warning to Defaulting Institutions
JAMB’s Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, cautioned institutions that have failed to submit their matriculation lists for the 2022 and 2023 admission sessions. Such institutions, he warned, will not have their admissions approved for the 2024 and 2025 academic exercises.
This warning follows persistent non-compliance, with some institutions failing to forward matriculation lists for up to three consecutive academic sessions.
To ensure compliance, JAMB is automating the National Matriculation List (NML) through its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). The NML serves as the official confirmation of students’ admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
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Submission of the NML is also a prerequisite for institutions to qualify for the prestigious National Tertiary Admission Performance-Merit Award (NATAP-M Award).
The Registrar further directed that adverts be placed in national newspapers, warning that admissions from defaulting institutions will not be approved, while Admissions Desk Officers have been instructed to enforce the directive strictly.
What Students and Parents Should Know
- Admissions into public universities close on 31 October 2025
- Private universities must conclude admissions by 30 November 2025
- Polytechnics, colleges of education, and other institutions have until 31 December 2025
- Institutions failing to submit their matriculation lists for previous sessions risk having future admissions nullified
- Students should verify their admission status only through JAMB’s CAPS platform, which ensures authenticity and prevents fraud
Conclusion
JAMB’s firm stance signals its commitment to restoring order and transparency in Nigeria’s higher education system. For students, parents, and institutions, the message is clear: admission deadlines are non-negotiable, compliance is mandatory, and the era of irregular admissions is over.
