JAMB Extends 2025/2026 Admission Deadline for Public Universities
JAMB extends 2025/2026 admission deadline: The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially extended the deadline for the completion of admissions into public universities for the 2025/2026 academic session. The new deadline, now set for Monday, 17th November 2025, comes as a response to various disruptions that slowed down the admission process across the country. This extension provides universities, admission officers, and prospective students with additional time to finalize all pending admission procedures.
This announcement has been welcomed by many stakeholders within the Nigerian tertiary education system, especially public universities that faced unavoidable delays earlier in the year. With thousands of candidates still awaiting updates on the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), the extension serves as a necessary relief for institutions that had struggled to meet the previous timeline.
Factors Behind the JAMB Admission Deadline Extension
The 2025/2026 admission cycle faced a series of unexpected challenges that significantly affected the timely release and processing of admission lists. One of the major factors was the court order that temporarily halted the 2025/2026 admission list until 28th October 2025. This injunction disrupted the admission workflow of many universities, which had already started screening and internal processing before the court order took effect. By the time the injunction was lifted, institutions needed more time to resume and complete their admission activities.
Another significant factor behind the extension is the recent accreditation update released by the National Universities Commission (NUC). On 29th October 2025, the NUC published a list containing 229 newly accredited programmes across 37 universities. These new programmes, spread across fields such as technology, health sciences, environmental studies, social sciences, and management, require fresh admission processes. Universities could only start admitting students to the new programmes after the official accreditation release. JAMB’s extension, with the academic calendar already strained, ensures no student or institution is unfairly disadvantaged.
JAMB’s Official Position
In its announcement, JAMB emphasized that the new deadline of November 17th, 2025 is final and non-negotiable. The Board noted that the extension was granted after carefully considering the appeals from the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), which had called attention to the disruptions that slowed down the admission process nationwide. According to JAMB, the primary goal of the extension is to uphold fairness, inclusiveness, and proper coordination in the admission cycle.
JAMB further stressed that all public universities must ensure full compliance with the new deadline. This means institutions are required to:
- Upload all approved admission lists on CAPS
- Resolve pending admission challenges
- Process newly accredited programmes
- Ensure no legitimate candidate is left out due to earlier disruptions
The Board made it clear that institutions failing to meet this final deadline will have to wait for the next admission cycle.
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What Prospective Students Should Do Now
With the new deadline in effect, prospective students are urged to take their admission process seriously and avoid unnecessary delays. Candidates should:
Check JAMB CAPS Regularly
Many students lose opportunities simply because they fail to check their CAPS dashboard. Candidates should log in frequently to monitor their status, accept or reject offers promptly, and ensure their O’level results are correctly uploaded.
Respond Quickly to Admission Offers
Once an admission offer appears on CAPS, students must respond immediately. Delayed acceptance may cause universities to withdraw the offer, especially as the deadline approaches.
Complete School Clearance Requirements
Each university has its own internal screening and acceptance procedures. Prospective students should follow their school’s guidelines, pay acceptance fees, upload necessary documents, and begin physical or online screenings without delay.
Stay Updated on New Programmes
For candidates interested in any of the newly accredited programmes, this extension provides an opportunity to explore more options. Universities may begin advertising available spaces in these fresh programmes, giving students additional choices.
Effects and Implications on Universities
Public universities now have a brief but crucial window to complete all admission-related tasks. Admission officers must work efficiently to accommodate students previously affected by the court order or accreditation delays. Institutions with newly accredited programmes must finalize departmental requirements, upload course details, and update their admission portals.
This extension may also help universities balance their quotas, fill vacant spaces, and ensure they admit qualified candidates in line with national standards.
Conclusion
JAMB extends 2025/2026 admission deadline to 17th November 2025 is a strategic and timely decision by JAMB. It aims to correct earlier disruptions, ensure fairness across all public universities, and give prospective students a fair chance to secure admission. With the Board insisting that this date is final, all stakeholders including students, parents, and university authorities must take prompt action to complete all outstanding admission processes.
This extension not only supports academic stability but also strengthens the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s university admission system. As the new deadline approaches, candidates are advised to remain vigilant, proactive, and fully engaged in their admission journey.
