Candidates can do a change of course after Post-UTME screening by purchasing an official change of data e-PIN via Remita, completing the course modification at an accredited CBT centre on the eFacility portal, and subsequently accepting the recommended programme transfer on their JAMB CAPS dashboard.
Following the conclusion of institutional post-UTME screening exercises and the publication of departmental merit cut-off marks, many prospective undergraduates find that their aggregate scores fall slightly below the cutoff for their initially chosen course. For example, a candidate applying for Medicine and Surgery who scores below the departmental threshold may be offered Anatomy, Physiology, or Biochemistry. To transform this provisional departmental recommendation into a valid, nationally recognized admission offer, the candidate must execute an official change of course on both the central portal and the CAPS architecture.
The first stage involves purchasing a change of course e-PIN through Remita or approved commercial banking platforms. With the generated transaction code, the candidate visits an accredited Computer-Based Test centre. Under the supervision of certified operators, the candidate undergoes biometric fingerprint authentication to unlock their central profile. The operator then modifies the candidate’s first-choice academic programme to reflect the new course offered by the university. Once submitted, the operator prints out an updated JAMB registration slip reflecting the new course choice, which the candidate must keep safely.
The second stage takes place directly on the Central Admissions Processing System. Once the university registry submits its updated transfer list to the central board, the candidate logs into efacility.jamb.gov.ng, switches their browser to desktop site mode, and navigates to the CAPS portal. Under the Transfer Approval tab, the candidate will observe an official transfer request displaying the original programme alongside the newly recommended programme. The candidate must click Accept to authorize the transfer. Failing to accept the transfer on CAPS within the stipulated window leads to forfeiture of the offer, as the system cannot generate an official admission letter for an unaccepted programme change.
The administrative guidelines enforced by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board emphasize that course modifications conducted solely on school portals without corresponding updates on central CAPS are completely invalid.
Academic quality guidelines overseen by the National Universities Commission ensure that universities maintain approved student-teacher ratios and departmental carrying capacities when transferring candidates between programmes.
Executing both the portal data change and the CAPS transfer acceptance promptly safeguards candidates against losing university admission opportunities, ensuring smooth transition into undergraduate studies.
Candidates should also verify that the new course aligns perfectly with their registered UTME subject combination and secondary school O’Level credits. Choosing a alternative programme that conflicts with statutory subject prerequisites will lead to administrative disqualification during institutional physical screening exercises.
Thank you for this detailed guide! The step-by-step breakdown makes it very straightforward to navigate.
Very informative post. I wish our secondary school guidance counselor had explained this so thoroughly.
Quick question please: if an applicant has already completed the initial registration, can changes still be made within the correction window without penalty?
Great question. Yes, most examination and admission bodies allow data corrections during the designated modification window before final data lock. However, ensure that any biometric, course, or institution amendments are processed strictly through accredited CBT or administrative centers to prevent profile suspension or upload mismatch.
Bookmarking this right away. This is by far the most detailed article on this topic I have come across online.
Great article. The distinction you highlighted between the institutional requirements and the general regulations is very important.
Please, does this same policy apply to candidates who sat for WAEC GCE as private candidates rather than internal school candidates?
Thank you for asking. Yes, WAEC GCE (private candidate) certificates and results carry the exact same legal and academic validity as internal school candidate results for admission and institutional clearance purposes. When filling portal documentation, ensure your exam year, center number, and candidate number match your official result slip exactly.
Very practical breakdown. It is reassuring to find verified information without all the rumors circulating on social media.
Thank you EduTalks! My sister was worried about this exact issue yesterday, sharing this with her immediately.
Extremely clear and helpful explanation. This cleared up the exact questions my study group was having regarding this process.
This was really helpful and timely. Thank you for consistently publishing reliable educational resources for students across Nigeria.