JAMB Closes 2025 Admission Window for Public Universities as Private Institutions, Polytechnics Keep Applications Open

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially closed the 2025 admission update window for all federal and state universities, marking a decisive end to Change of Course and Change of Institution processes for public institutions.

The closure, which took effect on Monday, November 17, 2025, signals the final phase of the 2025 public university admissions cycle. Candidates can no longer alter their programme choices or switch institutions on the JAMB portal, as universities are now expected to proceed strictly with the applications already available on their Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).

JAMB, however, assured candidates who completed their changes before the deadline that their modifications remain valid and will be processed by the respective universities. The Board urged such applicants to remain calm, stressing that no legitimate update submitted before November 17 would be discarded.

In a related advisory, the examination body called for patience among candidates whose CAPS status currently displays “Admission in Progress.” According to JAMB, the message indicates that their chosen institutions are still working on admission decisions and that the process is active—not an error or rejection.

With the public university window now sealed, the focus has shifted to institutions still actively admitting students for the 2025 academic year. JAMB confirmed that private universities nationwide remain open for admissions until November 30, providing another opportunity for candidates who were unable to secure placement in public institutions.

Polytechnics also continue to accept applications, with their admission deadline set for December 31. The Board noted that Polytechnics have become increasingly attractive for candidates seeking technical, practical and industry-focused programmes.

Similarly, Colleges of Education—key institutions in Nigeria’s teacher-training pipeline—are still admitting students until the national December 31 deadline. Monotechnics and Schools of Nursing have also kept their admission portals active, offering alternative professional pathways for applicants exploring non-university routes.

The Board advised all prospective students to pay close attention to the remaining deadlines and explore every available opportunity within the wider tertiary education ecosystem