EDUCATION

How to Change Institution to Polytechnic After Seeing JAMB Result

Scoring below 200 in JAMB can feel like the end of the road for many candidates aiming for university admission. But that’s not the case. Polytechnics in Nigeria provide a solid and respected alternative, and the best part is—you can switch to a polytechnic even after you’ve seen your JAMB result.

Many students choose to change their institution after the JAMB results are released for various reasons—low score, change of course preference, or interest in a more practical career path. If you’re considering switching to a polytechnic, here’s exactly how to go about it and increase your chances of gaining admission this same year.

Why Candidates Change to Polytechnic After JAMB Result

The number of students switching to polytechnics has increased in recent years. Some of the most common reasons include:

Low JAMB score that falls short of university cut-off marks
A sudden interest in practical-based or technical courses
Realization that polytechnics offer faster ND/HND programs
Admission flexibility and lower competition
Financial considerations, as most polytechnics charge lower tuition fees

Whatever your reason, changing from university to polytechnic after JAMB result is a smart move if done early.

Step-by-Step Process to Change Institution to Polytechnic After JAMB Result

JAMB allows candidates to change their preferred institution or course even after the results are out, but there’s a process involved. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Confirm Your JAMB Result

Before doing anything else, check your actual score. Visit the official JAMB portal and log in to your profile to view your result. This helps you decide the best school and course to change to based on your score.

For instance:

If you scored 120–150, many federal and state polytechnics will accept you for courses like Public Administration, Business Admin, Mass Communication, or Engineering Tech.
If your score is above 160, you have more competitive options such as Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Auchi Poly, or YABATECH.

Step 2: Research Polytechnics That Accept Your Score

Don’t rush into picking any polytechnic. Take some time to find out which ones accept your JAMB score. Some of the polytechnics known for accommodating a wide range of scores include:

Federal Polytechnic Nekede
Federal Polytechnic Ede
Osun State Polytechnic Iree
Rufus Giwa Polytechnic
Kogi State Polytechnic
Ado Polytechnic

You can also check the previous year’s cut-off marks on their official websites or school admission portals. This helps you choose wisely.

Step 3: Visit a JAMB CBT Centre

After deciding on your new school and course, go to an accredited JAMB CBT centre. You cannot change your institution or course using a cyber café or personal device. This is to avoid errors and ensure your data is properly updated in the JAMB system.

At the CBT centre:

Request for “Change of Institution/Course”
Provide your JAMB registration number
Submit the names of the polytechnic and course you want to change to
Confirm and submit your details

You’ll be required to pay a processing fee, usually around N2,500, using your ATM card or bank transfer.

Step 4: Print Your Change of Institution Slip

Once your changes are submitted, ask for a printout. This slip is proof that you’ve officially changed your choice. Keep it safe because you may need to present it during screening or registration.

Make sure the new institution reflects on your JAMB CAPS (Central Admission Processing System) in a few days. If not, revisit the CBT centre for assistance.

Step 5: Monitor the New Polytechnic’s Admission Updates

Changing your institution is only the beginning. After that, you must keep track of admission activities from your new school. Visit their website, follow their social media platforms, or join forums to stay updated on:

Admission form sales (ND full-time)
Screening dates
Deadline for registration
Admission list publication

Most polytechnics will ask you to register for a post-UTME screening, even if they don’t conduct a written test. Don’t miss the deadline.

Step 6: Upload Your O’Level Results on JAMB Portal

If you haven’t done this already, ensure your WAEC/NECO/NABTEB results are uploaded to the JAMB portal. Without this, your new school may not be able to consider you for admission. You can confirm the upload by logging in to your JAMB profile or revisiting the CBT centre where you made the change.

Step 7: Accept Admission on JAMB CAPS

Once your name appears on the school admission list or JAMB CAPS, log in to your CAPS profile and click “Accept Admission.” This is the final step to secure your place. If you don’t do this, the admission will not be valid. Print your admission letter from the JAMB portal afterward.

Can You Still Change After Being Offered Admission by Another School?

Yes, you can still do a change of institution after seeing your result—even if another school has already offered you admission—but you must reject the offer first on JAMB CAPS before switching. However, once you accept an offer on CAPS, you may be locked out from making further changes that year.

Will the New Polytechnic See Your Details?

Absolutely. Once the change is processed, your details are updated in JAMB’s database. Your new institution will see your information and can consider you for admission just like any other first-choice applicant. But note that schools sometimes have limited admission slots for those who changed to them late. So the earlier you make your switch, the better your chances.