The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has directed public universities to complete admissions for the 2025/2026 academic session by 31 October 2026.
JAMB announced the decision on Monday during its 2026 Annual Policy Meeting in Abuja.
The meeting brought together vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, registrars and other education stakeholders from across Nigeria.
JAMB gave private universities until 30 November 2026 to conclude their admission exercises.
The board also directed polytechnics, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions to finish admissions by 31 December 2026.
JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, said the deadlines would improve coordination in the admission process.
He explained that the new timelines would reduce delays and create uniformity among tertiary institutions.
Oloyede also said the policy would help institutions maintain stable academic calendars.
JAMB said all institutions must process admissions through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
The board warned institutions against offering admissions outside the platform.
According to JAMB, the federal government will not recognise admissions conducted outside CAPS.
JAMB also introduced fresh obligations for candidates.
The board asked candidates to accept or reject admission offers on CAPS within the approved period.
Officials said delayed responses from candidates often slow down the admission process.
They added that some candidates hold multiple admission offers at the same time, making placements difficult for others.
Education stakeholders at the meeting supported the move.
They said the deadlines would reduce uncertainty and improve transparency in the admission system.
Analysts also believe the policy could address persistent delays in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
The new admission timelines will affect millions of candidates seeking placement into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education nationwide.
