JAMB Activates Change of Institution and Course Portal for 2026 Direct Entry Candidates | What You Need to Know

If there is one thing I have learnt from writing about admissions over the years, it is that many students lose admission opportunities because they miss important updates from JAMB. That is one of the reasons I closely monitor admission announcements so I can share verified information with students as early as possible.

Today, I have another important update for candidates participating in the 2026 Direct Entry (DE) admission exercise.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially activated the Change of Institution and Change of Course portal for 2026 Direct Entry candidates.

The development comes as several universities, polytechnics and colleges of education begin their 2026/2027 Direct Entry admission and screening exercises. Candidates who wish to change their institution or course can now do so through the official JAMB process.

Why This Update Matters

From my experience, many Direct Entry applicants initially select an institution or course during JAMB registration but later decide to make changes for different reasons.

Some discover that another institution offers better opportunities for their preferred programme. Others realise they do not meet the admission requirements of their initial choice after institutions release their screening guidelines.

With the activation of the JAMB portal, eligible candidates now have the opportunity to update their admission choices before the admission process progresses further.

What Direct Entry Candidates Should Do

JAMB has advised candidates to carefully review the admission requirements of their preferred institution and course before making any changes.

Before processing a Change of Institution or Change of Course, candidates should ensure that:

• They meet the admission requirements of their preferred institution.
• Their qualifications are suitable for the course they intend to study.
• Their O'Level results have been properly uploaded to the JAMB portal.
• Their A'Level qualifications, ND, NCE, HND, IJMB, JUPEB or other accepted Direct Entry credentials have been correctly uploaded where applicable.
• All personal details on their JAMB profile are accurate.

Taking these steps early can help reduce delays during admission processing.

Do Not Change Your Institution Without Research

One mistake I have seen many candidates make is changing their institution simply because someone else recommends it.

Before making any changes, I encourage you to visit the official admission portal of your preferred institution and carefully read its Direct Entry admission requirements.

Pay attention to:

• Accepted Direct Entry qualifications.
• Minimum grade requirements.
• Required O'Level subject combinations.
• Available courses.
• Screening procedures.
• Application deadlines.

Making an informed decision can improve your chances of securing admission.

How to Process JAMB Change of Institution or Course

Eligible Direct Entry candidates can process their changes through the official JAMB Change of Course and Institution service.

Candidates are advised to complete the process only through accredited JAMB CBT centres or other official JAMB-approved channels to ensure their records are correctly updated.

After making any changes, candidates should continue checking both the JAMB portal and their preferred institution's admission portal for further instructions regarding screening and admission.

My Advice to 2026 Direct Entry Candidates

As someone who regularly follows admission updates across Nigerian tertiary institutions, I always remind students that admission is not only about meeting the minimum requirements. Paying attention to deadlines and official announcements is equally important.

If you intend to change your institution or course, do not wait until the last minute. Review the admission requirements carefully, confirm that your credentials have been uploaded successfully and ensure the programme you choose matches your qualifications.

A simple mistake during this stage could affect your admission process.

Here at StudentPortals.com.ng, I will continue monitoring JAMB and university admission updates to keep you informed with timely and verified information throughout the 2026/2027 admission exercise.

Written by Prudent Joshua who is the Chief Editor of StudentPortals.com.ng, where he publishes verified JAMB, WAEC, university admission and student portal updates to help students make informed decisions.