Over 1.5 million sat for JAMB 2025, but will you get admission? Discover cut-off marks, Post-UTME updates, and how to check your CAPS status now.

JAMB 2025: The Hard Truth About Admission After 1.5 Million Candidates

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This year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). It has seen an unprecedented turnout of over 1.5 million candidates across Nigeria. That’s more than the population of some countries.

Every year, millions of hopeful students flood JAMB CBT centres nationwide. They are armed with dreams of becoming doctors, lawyers, engineers, tech gurus, and more. But here’s the painful truth—only a small fraction will actually secure admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

In this detailed report, DailyMore News breaks down the numbers. It also explores the trends and the ticking time bomb of limited university slots. The report outlines what Nigerian students—and their parents—must prepare for now.

1.5 Million Candidates, But Only a Few Will Get In

Let’s face it: Nigeria’s university system is overloaded. According to previous JAMB statistics, only about 20–30% of candidates get admission each year.

Here’s what we’re looking at for 2025:

  • JAMB candidates: 1,597,423 (confirmed by JAMB)
  • Available admission slots (est.): ~600,000
  • Federal universities combined capacity: Less than 200,000
  • Private university capacity: Underutilized, but expensive

The rest? They either wait till next year, switch to polytechnics/colleges, or worse—give up.

Reality Check: You may have passed JAMB, but that doesn’t guarantee admission.

Cut-Off Marks vs Actual Selection — A Big Gap

Let’s talk numbers.

Even if you scored 250+, you might still be disqualified in some universities because of:

  • High competition for specific courses like Medicine, Law, Engineering
  • Catchment area disadvantages
  • Low post-UTME scores
  • Incomplete O’Level results

In fact, some federal universities (like UI, UNILAG, UNN, OAU) don’t even consider your JAMB score alone. They use a weighted aggregate that combines JAMB + post-UTME + O’Level results.

Example: A candidate with 270 in JAMB might not get Medicine at UNILORIN. However, another candidate with 250 might get Engineering at FUTMINNA. It all depends on the university’s internal screening formula.

What Happens Next for Candidates (Post-UTME and Screening War)

Now that the JAMB phase is done, here’s the next admission battle roadmap:

  1. Release of JAMB Results JAMB typically releases results within 72 hours. In 2025, over 85% of results were out within 48 hours.
  2. Cut-Off Mark Announcements Institutions set their minimum cut-off scores. Expect this between June–July 2025.
  3. Post-UTME Screening/Exams Some universities do exams (UNILAG, OAU), others do online screening only (like LASU, UNN). This usually begins from July/August.
  4. First and Second Admission Lists
    • First list: August–September
    • Second/Mop-up: October–November
  5. Resumption of Academic Year Many schools resume around October/November, depending on ASUU strike status (because… Nigeria.)

Parental Panic and “Runs” Scams

With the pressure rising, desperate parents start doing anything just to secure admission for their kids:

  • Paying fraudsters posing as “school contacts”
  • Sending money for fake “fast-track slots”
  • Buying fake admission letters

WARNING: JAMB has repeatedly warned against scammers who claim they can “help you gain admission”. All legitimate admissions are processed through the CAPS Portal.

Rule of Thumb: If it’s not on CAPS, it’s not real.

What Students Should Do Now (Smart Tips to Stay Ahead)

Here’s how smart candidates stay winning after JAMB:

  1. Monitor CAPS Portal Religiously Check for changes like “Admission in Progress”, “Accept Admission”, etc.
  2. Apply for Multiple Schools If Possible Don’t wait on just one school. Consider polytechnics or colleges of education as backups.
  3. Prepare for Post-UTME Use school-specific past questions. Even if your school does online screening, understand their aggregate formula.
  4. Sort Out O’Level Results (WAEC/NECO) If you’re using awaiting results, be ready to upload when ready.
  5. Join Admission Support Groups There are Telegram/WhatsApp groups where students share updates. DailyMore will also be launching one—drop a comment if you want to join.

What the Experts Are Saying

We spoke with Dr. Yetunde Amadi, a lecturer at the University of Lagos, and here’s what she said:

“The pressure on public universities is unsustainable. We need to expand capacity or change the model. Otherwise, millions of youth will keep getting rejected annually—and that’s dangerous for society.”

Private Universities: Still Ignored

Even with all this pressure, private universities are still seeing low application numbers. Why?

  • Cost: N500K–N2M per year
  • Perception: Some employers look down on them
  • Limited course options

But if you can afford it, they offer faster academic calendars and fewer strikes. Some now offer scholarships to JAMB high scorers (check Babcock, Covenant, and Afe Babalola websites).

The Real Crisis: What Happens to the Unadmitted?

Every year, over 1 million students get rejected by the system. Many:

  • Re-register for JAMB (some for the 3rd or 4th time)
  • Stay home and do nothing
  • Enter job markets unprepared
  • Fall into online scams or cybercrime

This is not just an educational problem. It’s a national security threat.

Final Advice to Students and Parents

  • Don’t panic. Focus on strategy.
  • Monitor school websites for updates
  • Don’t fall for scammers
  • Use official channels like JAMB CAPS and NUC websites
  • Reach out to real admission consultants or counselors (not “Uncle that knows someone”)

Follow-Up Actions from DailyMore News

Coming soon:

  • Post-UTME Prep Portal (Free Past Questions)
  • Admission Watch WhatsApp Channel
  • Survivor Stories Series: “How I Gained Admission in 2024”

  • JAMB 2025 result news

  • JAMB 2025 cut off mark

  • post-UTME 2025 updates

  • JAMB admission process 2025 The JAMB 2025 Admission process has recently been in the news following the release of the JAMB 2025 result news. Many candidates are eager to learn about the JAMB 2025 cut off mark and post-UTME 2025 updates. Additionally, students are anticipating details on schools that accept low JAMB scores in 2025 and when the post-UTME for 2025 will commence. For those seeking insights on how to check JAMB CAPS, the instructions are crucial for a successful application process.

  • how to check JAMB CAPS

  • schools that accept low JAMB scores 2025

  • when is post-UTME starting 2025

 

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