JAMB Extends Final Assessment Deadline for Underage UTME Candidates, Cautions Defaulting Universities

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a new date for the final assessment of underage candidates who participated in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

According to a statement issued by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the extension became necessary after 23 of the 71 universities chosen by the affected candidates failed to submit their Post-UTME screening results by the earlier deadline of September 15, 2025.

Despite the release of the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results by the National Examinations Council (NECO) on September 17, several institutions are yet to comply with the submission requirement.

Universities Yet to Submit Screening Results

Among the defaulting institutions are the University of Lagos (39 candidates), Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja (18), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (15), University of Abuja (12), and University of Uyo (9). In total, 135 candidates are affected by the delay.

JAMB disclosed that it has formally notified the institutions involved, directing them to submit the outstanding screening scores without any further delay.

New Deadlines for Admissions

The Board reminded all universities of their obligations under the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). Public universities are required to forward their recommended candidates on or before Tuesday, September 30, 2025, while private universities have until Friday, October 31, 2025.

JAMB stressed that the final deadlines for the 2025/2026 admission exercise remain October 30, 2025, for public universities and November 31, 2025, for private universities, as agreed during the 2025 Policy Meeting on Admissions chaired by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa.

Warning Against Further Delays

The Board emphasized that strict adherence to these timelines is essential to guarantee a smooth, fair, and transparent admission process for all candidates. Universities that fail to comply may face sanctions as stipulated by the admission guidelines.

This extension aims to give defaulting institutions additional time to fulfill their obligations and ensure that underage candidates are not unfairly disadvantaged in the 2025/2026 academic session.