Can an Applicant Change First Choice Institution on JAMB After Post-UTME Registration Closes?

An applicant can change their first-choice institution on the JAMB portal even after their original university’s post-UTME registration closes, provided the receiving institution’s admissions screening portal is still actively accepting candidate submissions.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board permits candidates to execute changes of course and institution throughout the active national admission window, enabling students to redirect their profiles to universities with open supplementary screening exercises.

To successfully change your first choice institution and secure consideration on an active tertiary portal, follow this procedural sequence:

1. Verify that your target receiving institution has published an active post-UTME or supplementary screening registration announcement.
2. Log into your profile dashboard on the JAMB e-Facility portal using your registered email address and password.
3. Locate the Service menu and select the Correction of Data module, then click on Change of Course/Institution.
4. Generate a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) invoice for the statutory administrative data correction processing fee.
5. Pay the fee online via debit card or at any commercial bank branch and print your validated payment confirmation transaction slip.
6. Visit any accredited JAMB CBT centre nationwide with your candidate profile code and payment slip.
7. Undergo biometric fingerprint verification on the operator console and select your new preferred first-choice university and course.
8. Print your updated JAMB Registration Slip confirming that your first choice has transitioned to the newly chosen institution.
9. Visit the applicant screening portal of your new university immediately to complete their online post-UTME or supplementary bio-data submission.

Candidates must consider critical institutional limitations before purchasing course change pins:

• Changing your first-choice institution on JAMB does not automatically register you on the new university’s screening portal; you must complete both procedures.
• Institutions that have concluded all screening sessions and uploaded final matriculation lists cannot consider newly transferred candidates.
• Your UTME subject combination and aggregate score must strictly satisfy the receiving department’s published minimum cut-off marks.
• You must ensure that your O-Level credits on WAEC Direct or NECO are properly uploaded to CAPS for the new university to access.

Attempting to change institutions after the national Central Admissions Processing System closes for the academic year results in transaction errors and forfeited fees.

Redirecting your application to private or state universities that maintain extended supplementary admission cycles prevents spending an unnecessary gap year at home.

Consistently monitoring university admissions news ensures you identify high-quality institutions with available carrying capacity before registration windows shut permanently.

Retaining your freshly stamped JAMB data change slip provides vital physical documentation during departmental physical clearance at your new institution.

Making strategic, well-timed institutional transfers empowers ambitious candidates to secure legitimate university admission without compromising their long-term career aspirations.

Prospective scholars must maintain meticulous records of all online applications, payment receipts, and official institutional clearance dockets throughout their academic journey. Diligent documentation protects your candidate profile from administrative discrepancies and facilitates seamless physical verification across faculty screening desks.