On a yearly basis, thousands of Nigerian students register for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination. JAMB allows you to choose more than one school so that if one does not work out, the other might work.
Many students get confused here because some schools accept second-choice candidates while others do not. So, this means that selecting the wrong school in the wrong place can make you miss admission even if your score is high.
In this post, you will read about what it means to put your school as a second choice, why some schools accept it, and the schools that accept it. If you intend to gain admission into the university, then you must read this post.
Why Some Schools Don’t Accept Second Choice
Here are some reasons why some schools in Nigeria do not accept being placed second choice during admissions;
1. Too Many Applicants
In each admission year, big universities like the University of Lagos, the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) receive thousands of applicants each year.
To be realistic, these universities can’t accept all of these thousands of applicants who have applied. So, to make the process easier for them, they only admit a few thousand who choose to accept only first-choice applicants.
2. Policy and Tradition
In Nigeria, many schools, especially federal universities, have a long-standing tradition of never considering candidates who list them as a second choice. Yes, even if you score a JAMB score of 350+. For example, schools like the University of Lagos always prioritize candidates who select them as their first choice.
3. For Easier Screening and Post-UTME
In some cases, schools that conduct their own Post-UTME select only first-choice candidates to reduce the crowd and paperwork involved. In short, the more competitive a school is, the less likely it will accept second-choice students.
Some schools gladly accept being a second choice in their admission process. For you who are the candidate, there are several advantages to that. Let’s examine these advantages.
Advantages of Applying to Schools That Accept Second Choice
Here are the benefits of applying to a school that accepts being a second choice;
1. More Admission Chances
Schools that accept second-choice candidates usually have fewer applicants. As a result, this makes it easier to get admission if your JAMB score is average. So, you are giving yourself another opportunity. If your first choice does not work out, you still have another chance with your second-choice school.
2. It Gives You Flexibility
It offers you flexibility in the sense that if you later change your mind or score higher than expected, you can change your second choice to another school using the JAMB Change of Institution option.
3. Faster Admission Process
It has been observed that some smaller schools release their admission lists early. Yes, even earlier than federal universities. If your second-choice school is among them, you could gain admission before the first-choice school even starts screening.
So far, you’ve read about why some schools don’t accept second choice and the benefits of choosing schools that accept second choice. Now, let’s check out the full list of schools that accept second choice.
Full List of Schools That Accept Second Choice in Nigeria
Below are list of schools across all sectors that accept second choice in the admissions process;
Federal Universities That Accept Second Choice
- Federal University Otuoke (FUOTUOKE)
- Federal University Lafia (FULAFIA)
- Federal University Wukari (FUWUKARI)
- Federal University Dutse (FUD)
- Federal University Kashere (FUK)
- Federal University Birnin-Kebbi (FUBK)
State Universities That Accept Second Choice
- Lagos State University (LASU)
- Ekiti State University (EKSU)
- Imo State University (IMSU)
- Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)
- Delta State University (DELSU)
- Benue State University (BSU)
- Kogi State University (KSU)
- Rivers State University (RSU)
Polytechnics That Accept Second Choice
- Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti –
- Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH)
- Federal Polytechnic, Nekede
- Auchi Polytechnic
- Federal Polytechnic, Offa
- Kaduna Polytechnic
- Rufus Giwa Polytechnic
- Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro
Colleges of Education That Accept Second Choice
- Federal College of Education, Zaria.
- Federal College of Education, Kano.
- Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo.
- College of Education, Agbo.
- Federal College of Education (Technical), Anambra State.
- College of Education, Nasarawa State.
List of Private Universities That Accept Second Choice
- Covenant University, Ogun State.
- Babcock University, Ogun State.
- Redeemer’s University, Osun State.
- Bowen University, Osun State.
- Caleb University, Lagos State.
- Lead City University, Oyo State.
- Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ekiti State.
- Madonna University, Rivers State.
- Crawford University, Ogun State.
- Bells University of Technology, Ogun State.
Over the past few years, some schools that used to accept second-choice students stopped doing so. If you’re not careful, you could waste your JAMB slot.
Schools That Recently but Stopped Accepting Second Choice
Here are some popular ones:
- University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
- Lagos State University (LASU)
- University of Ibadan (UI)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
- University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)
These schools are very competitive. If you apply to any of them as a second choice, your application might not even be reviewed. Always double-check before submitting.
The above list is a comprehensive list of schools that accept second choice in the admissions process. However, sometimes these lists can be updated by JAMB. So, you’ll need to know how to confirm if a school accepts a second choice.
How to Confirm If a School Accepts Second Choice
Here is a step-by-step guide to confirm if a school accepts a second choice;
1. Visit the School’s Official Website
In Nigeria, every university, polytechnic, or even college of education has an official website. You can search on Google using the school’s full name to get your school’s official website.
Now, when you enter the site, go to the “Admission” or “News” section. If the school accepts second-choice candidates, they usually mention it in their Post-UTME or admission announcement.
2. Check the Latest JAMB Brochure
The JAMB brochure shows every accredited institution in Nigeria. It also determines whether they accept first or second-choice candidates.
3. Ask the Admission Office Directly
You can call or email the school’s admission department. The phone number or email is usually on the school’s website. When you call or email, just go straight to your question without dwelling too much on pleasantries.
4. Ask Past or Current Students
Another way you can find out if your school accepts second choices or not is to ask students who were recently admitted. Never depend on random WhatsApp or Telegram groups that spread unconfirmed information. Always confirm from official or trusted sources.
How to Choose Your First and Second Choice Schools Strategically
To select your first-choice and second-choice schools in Nigeria, follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose a Federal University as Your First Choice
Your first choice should be the university you really want. A federal university is usually suitable as a first-choice school. These schools are very popular and respected. Many students apply there every year, so admission is very hard.
Step 2: Choose a Less Competitive School as Your Second Choice
Your second choice should be a school that accepts second-choice candidates and is easier to enter. You’ve already seen the list of schools that accept second choice. These schools are not as crowded, so your chance of getting admission is higher.
Step 3: Pick a Realistic Course
To be honest, some courses are very hard to enter because too many people choose them. Courses like Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, Engineering, and so on.
Take note that if you choose Medicine or Law in both your first and second choices, your chances are very low. So, choose a highly competitive course as your first choice and a less competitive course as your second choice. Don’t worry, you can always switch or do Direct Entry later if you want to go back to your dream course.
Step 4. Have a Backup Plan (Plan C)
Even if you choose two schools, it is still good to have another Plan C.
Your Plan C can be a polytechnic, college of education, or some other lower school. This plan will help you continue your education without waiting for another year.
Many students started from polytechnics or colleges and later moved to universities. So, it could be a blessing in disguise for you.
Conclusion
Admission into Nigerian schools becomes easier when you know which ones accept second-choice candidates. Some universities only take first-choice applicants, while others allow both. To improve your chances, choose a top federal university as your first choice and a less competitive school as your second choice. Also, have a backup plan like a polytechnic or college of education.
If this article was helpful, please share it with other JAMB candidates and leave a comment below. Your questions or experiences can guide others too.
