By John Umeh
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced October 31, 2025, as the final deadline for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to conclude their admissions for the 2025 academic session.
In a statement released by the board, JAMB explained that the new timeline is part of efforts to maintain a stable academic calendar and to ensure that the 2025/2026 academic session commences without delays. The board stressed that no university, polytechnic, or college of education will be permitted to admit students beyond the set date.
According to JAMB’s spokesperson, the October deadline was agreed upon after a series of consultations with vice-chancellors, rectors, and provosts across the country. The board noted that an early cut-off date would give institutions ample time to prepare for the new session and also prevent the bottlenecks caused by late admissions in previous years.
“By October 31, 2025, all admission processes must have been concluded. Institutions are therefore advised to finalize their admission lists and upload them on the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) for approval,” the statement read.
The board further reminded prospective students to continually check the JAMB CAPS portal to accept or reject their admission offers, warning that failure to do so before the closing date may lead to forfeiture of their slots.
Education analysts have described the decision as timely, noting that Nigeria’s academic calendar has suffered repeated distortions due to prolonged strikes, delayed admissions, and irregular resumptions. By enforcing an October deadline, JAMB hopes to restore order and ensure that students settle into classrooms without disruptions.
For applicants, the announcement means that the admission process will be fast-tracked, reducing prolonged uncertainty and giving them a clearer timeline to plan their academic journey.
