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Latest JAMB Updates 2026: Change of Course, Change of Institution, O’Level Upload & Important Admission News
NLTC Team · 16 May 2026 · 4 min read
JAMB has released important updates for 2026 candidates including change of institution, change of course, O’Level upload, result slip printing, and admission guidelines.
Latest JAMB Updates 2026: Change of Course, Change of Institution, O’Level Upload & Important Admission News
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released several important updates for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Following the recently concluded JAMB Policy Meeting, candidates can now begin important admission-related processes including change of course, change of institution, O’Level result upload, and printing of original JAMB result slips.
If you wrote the 2026 UTME, this article explains everything you need to know right now.
1. JAMB Has Activated Change of Course and Change of Institution
One of the biggest recent updates is that JAMB has officially opened the portal for candidates who want to change their institution or course of study.
This means students who are no longer confident about their admission chances — or who want to make smarter admission choices — can now make corrections.
Who Should Consider Changing Institution or Course?
You should consider changing your institution or course if:
- Your JAMB score is below your school’s cut-off mark
- Your preferred course is highly competitive
- You selected the wrong subject combination
- You now prefer another university with better admission chances
- You want a less competitive but related course
Who Should NOT Rush to Change?
Do not panic and change immediately simply because others are changing.
If your score is still competitive for your chosen school and course, you may still have a realistic chance of admission.
For example, scoring 235 may still give you reasonable chances for many courses in some universities, depending on competition and Post-UTME performance.
How to Change Course or Institution
JAMB has advised candidates to process changes only through approved CBT centres.
Here is the process:
- Visit an accredited JAMB CBT centre
- Request for Change of Institution or Course
- Provide your JAMB registration details
- Select your new school or course carefully
- Confirm subject requirements before submission
- Complete payment and biometric verification
Candidates are strongly advised to avoid cybercafés or unofficial agents to reduce mistakes and fraud.
2. Uploading Your O’Level Result Is Extremely Important
Another major update students should not ignore is the uploading of WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB results to the JAMB portal/CAPS.
Many students do not realise this:
You can lose admission even if you score high in JAMB if your O’Level result is not uploaded.
Universities use your uploaded O’Level results to verify your eligibility during screening and admission processing.
Why O’Level Upload Matters
- It confirms your admission eligibility
- Universities use it for screening
- Without it, CAPS may not process your admission
- Some schools automatically disqualify candidates without uploaded results
How to Upload Your O’Level Result
- Visit an accredited CBT centre
- Take your WAEC/NECO/NABTEB result
- Provide your JAMB registration number
- Ensure names and details match correctly
- Confirm successful upload before leaving
Even if you uploaded during JAMB registration, it is wise to confirm that your result is properly reflecting on your JAMB profile.
3. Original JAMB Result Slip Printing Starts May 18
JAMB has also announced that candidates can begin printing their original 2026 UTME result slips from Monday, May 18, 2026.
This is different from the simple score notification many candidates checked earlier.
The original result slip contains:
- Your passport photograph
- Your full examination details
- Security verification features
- Institution and course information
Why the Original Result Slip Is Important
You may need it for:
- Post-UTME registration
- University screening exercises
- Admission processing
- Scholarship applications
- Future verification purposes
4. Latest JAMB Admission Policy Updates
At the recent 2026 Policy Meeting, JAMB approved the following minimum admission benchmarks:
- Universities: 150
- Polytechnics: 100
- Colleges of Education: 100
However, students should understand something important:
These are minimum benchmarks, not guaranteed admission scores.
Many universities set higher institutional cut-off marks depending on competitiveness.
5. Common Mistakes Candidates Are Making Right Now
Every year, students lose admission opportunities because of avoidable mistakes.
Here are some common ones:
- Changing institution without proper research
- Ignoring subject combinations
- Failure to upload O’Level results
- Missing Post-UTME deadlines
- Depending on rumours from social media
- Choosing highly competitive courses without backup options
6. Practical Advice for Students Right Now
If you wrote JAMB in 2026, here are practical things you should do immediately:
- Research your admission chances honestly
- Confirm if your O’Level result is uploaded
- Monitor your school’s Post-UTME announcements
- Print your original result slip
- Do not rush to change institution out of fear
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Has JAMB started change of institution for 2026?
Yes. JAMB has officially activated the process and candidates can now make changes through accredited CBT centres.
Can I change both my course and institution?
Yes. Candidates may change both depending on their admission strategy.
Is uploading O’Level compulsory?
Yes. Without uploading your O’Level result, your admission may not be processed.
When will Post-UTME registration begin?
Many universities are expected to begin releasing Post-UTME and screening details in the coming weeks.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 admission season is already moving quickly, and candidates who stay informed usually have a stronger advantage.
Rather than panicking, students should focus on making smart, strategic decisions based on facts and realistic admission chances.
At Next Level Tutorial College, we remain committed to helping students stay updated, make better academic decisions, and improve their chances of admission success.