When is the Deadline for JAMB DE Registration?
As the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) concluded the registration for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on 8 March 2025, a record-breaking 2,030,627 candidates registered for this year’s examination, marking the highest number of applicants in JAMB’s history.
JAMB has announced that begin Wednesday, 12 March 2025. However, the board has not officially specified the DE registration closing date. In previous years, the registration period typically spanned about four weeks.
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For instance, in 2024, DE registration started on 10 March and concluded on 7 April. If JAMB follows a similar timeline this year, the 2025 DE registration might end around mid-April. However, this remains speculative, and candidates should complete their registrations promptly to avoid missing the deadline.
Direct Entry (DE) Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for Direct Entry admission, candidates must meet the following requirements:
O-Level Requirements: A minimum of five (5) O-Level credit passes in subjects relevant to the desired course, obtained in not more than two sittings. For the Advanced Level Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least two passes in prescribed subjects at the Principal or Advanced level. Acceptable qualifications include:
- A-Level certificates from IJMB, JUPEB, NABTEB-ANBC, NABTEB-ANTC, NABTEB-GCE A-Level (2015-2021).
- National Diploma (ND), National Innovation Diploma (NID), Higher National Diploma (HND), or Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) with the appropriate O’Level requirements.
Once candidates have obtained the required documents, they can proceed with the registration process. To avoid missing out or encountering confusion, candidates should follow these steps carefully.
Steps to Register for JAMB DE 2025
- Create a JAMB Profile: Before purchasing the DE form, candidates must create a JAMB profile by sending their National Identification Number (NIN) via SMS to 55019 or 66019 to generate a unique profile code.
- Obtain the DE Application Document: Purchase the Direct Entry application document using the profile code at designated banks, JAMB state offices, or online platforms approved by JAMB.
- Visit a JAMB Professional Registration Centre (PRC): Complete the registration process at a JAMB-accredited PRC, where biometric data and other necessary information will be captured.
- Provide Relevant Qualifications: Submit all required documents, including O’Level results and Advanced Level qualifications.
Differences Between UTME and DE Admissions
Although both UTME and DE admissions are managed by JAMB, their processes differ:
UTME is a standardised computer-based test (CBT) for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges. The 2025 UTME is scheduled to take place between 25 April and 5 May 2025.
On the other hand, DE candidates do not write the UTME exam. Instead, they apply based on their existing qualifications (such as ND, NCE, HND, A-Levels, or JUPEB results). After registration, their credentials are verified, and universities shortlist candidates for possible admission.
JAMB’s “No Verification, No Admission” Policy
DE candidates should be aware that JAMB has, since April 2024, implemented a “no verification, no admission” policy. This decision followed JAMB’s discovery of at least 1,665 fake A-Level results during the 2023 DE registration, as revealed by JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede.
To address this issue, JAMB now verifies all submitted Advanced Level qualifications through a special committee. Institutions are also encouraged to verify certificates before considering candidates for admission.
Candidates must ensure they meet all entry requirements and adhere strictly to JAMB’s registration guidelines to avoid disqualification or legal consequences.
