NIGERIA: JAMB Extends 2025 Admission Deadline for Public Universities to November 17

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended the 2025 admission deadline for all public universities in Nigeria from October 31 to November 17, 2025.

The decision, announced in JAMB’s weekly bulletin and signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, was taken following appeals from university administrators and new accreditation developments affecting the ongoing admission process.

According to the Board, the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) had requested an extension due to disruptions caused by several factors, including a court order that temporarily halted the 2025/2026 admission list. The order was lifted only on October 28, 2025, prompting universities to seek more time to conclude their admission processes.

JAMB recalled that the 2025 Policy Meeting on Admissions, chaired by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, had earlier fixed October 31 as the deadline for public universities to wrap up the admission exercise for the current academic session.

The Board also linked the extension to the recent accreditation of new academic programmes across several universities. On October 29, 2025, the National Universities Commission (NUC) approved 229 new programmes for 37 universities, which JAMB said required additional time to process admissions in line with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda of expanding access to tertiary education.

The Board stated: “In a bid to expand access in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the NUC on 29th October 2025 released a list of 229 programmes recently accredited for 37 universities. Admission into those programmes is just being scheduled.”

JAMB commended public universities for their diligence and cooperation in meeting the earlier deadline, adding that the new date aims to ensure fairness and inclusivity across all institutions.

However, the Board warned that the new deadline is final and must be strictly observed.

“This extension is to ensure that no institution or candidate is unfairly disadvantaged. It is the final adjustment, and all institutions must conclude their processes within the new timeframe,” JAMB said.