Nigeria Extends University Registration, Adds 5 New Centers

Nigeria's Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) extended its university registration deadline to May 8, giving students with diplomas and A-level certificates extra time to pursue higher education without taking entrance exams.

The extension adds two weeks to the original April 25 deadline. This Direct Entry program offers a faster path to university for students who already have college-level credentials.

JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin said the decision reflects the board's commitment to keeping education accessible. The extension ensures no eligible student misses their chance at tertiary education simply because they ran out of time.

The board also opened five new registration centers in high-demand areas across four states. New locations include the University of Ilorin's distance learning campus in Kwara State, Bells University of Technology in Ogun State, and Olabisi Onabanjo University, also in Ogun State.

Two additional centers opened in Oyo and Lagos states. The Lagos facility at Human Development Initiatives in Iwaya started accepting registrations on April 30.

The Ripple Effect

This expansion addresses a real bottleneck in Nigeria's education system. By adding centers in areas experiencing the highest demand, JAMB removes geographic barriers that previously forced students to travel long distances or miss deadlines entirely.

The board emphasized that registration must happen at official Professional Registration Centres nationwide, warning students against using unauthorized agents who might exploit them. JAMB offices across the country remain open throughout the extended registration period.

For students who've already earned diplomas or advanced certificates, this pathway skips the standard Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. That means faster access to degree programs and less duplication of their existing education.

The extension and new centers show how administrative flexibility can open doors when education officials listen to demand and respond quickly.