Did you know that many students are surprised to learn there are universities in Nigeria that accept second choice candidates? Contrary to the common belief that no Nigerian university considers second choice applicants, there are indeed public, private, and state-owned institutions that welcome students who picked them as a second choice.
In Nigeria, when you apply through JAMB, you must list your first, and second choice of preferred institution. Usually, institutions in Nigeria do not accept candidates who chose them as the second option but some universities make an exception. This is a big deal for students who may not have made the cut-off mark at their first-choice institution but still want to pursue their education.
The best time to get to know the institutions in Nigeria that accept second-choice candidates is right before you register for UTME. Knowing the universities that offer second-choice admission before applying for JAMB will help you align your choice to favor you.
SEE ALSO: Active List of Universities Offering Distance Learning in Nigeria
In this post, we have provided a comprehensive list of the Public, private, and state-owned universities in Nigeria that offer second-choice admission. After choosing your first choice of preferred institution, you can pick any of the universities below that you prefer and you will be guaranteed an admission the same year even if your top choice does not admit you.
Universities That Accept Second Choice Candidates 2026
If you had chosen any of the schools below as your second choice of preferred institution, there is good news! You can go ahead and purchase a post-UTME form as the chances of you gaining admission to study are substantial.
Federal Universities That Accept Second Choice Candidates
These are the federal universities in Nigeria that accept second-choice candidates:-
- University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED)
- Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE)
- Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State (FUD)
- Federal University Birnin Kebbi
- Federal University Dutsenma, Katsina State
- Federal University Gashua, Yobe State (FUGASHUA)
- Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State (FUGUS)
- Federal University Lafia, Nasarawa State (FULAFIA)
- Federal University Lokoja (Fulokoja)
- Federal University Kashere, Gombe State (Fukashere)
- Federal University Ndifu-Alike, Ebonyi State (Funai)
- Fedral University Otuoke, Bayelsa State (Fuotuoke)
- Federal University Wukari, Taraba State (Fuwukari)
- University Of Maiduguri, Borno (Unimaid)
State Universities That Accept 2nd Choice Candidates
Below is a list of state universities that offer second-choice admission:-
- Abia State University, Uturu. Abia (ABSU)
- Adamawa State University, Mubi, Adamawa (ADSU)
- Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot-Akpaden Akwa-Ibom (AKSU)
- Anambra State University, Uli Anambra/Chuwkwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (ATBU)
- Cross Rivers University Of Technology, Calabar Cross-River (CRUTECH)
- Denise Osadebey University, DOU.
Private Universities That Accept 2nd Choice For Admission
If you plan to study at a privately owned university in Nigeria, you can pick any of these as a second choice and you will still gain admission.
- Adeleke University, Ede
- Covenant University
- Madonna University
- Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State Abia
- American University Of Nigeria, Yola Adamawa (AUN)
- Modibo Adama University Of Technology, Yola Adamawa (MAUTECH)
- Obong University, Obong, Ntak Akwa-Ibom
- Ritman University,Ikot-Ekpene,Akwa-Ibom State Akwa-Ibom
- Paul University, Awka Anambra
- Tansain University, Oba, Anambra State Anambra
- University Of Mkar, Gboko Benue
- Novena University Ogume Delta
- Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State Delta
- Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Delta State Delta
Above is a detailed list of Nigerian Universities that accept second choice in JAMB. If you are a JAMBite who wants to maximize your chances of gaining admission this year, then it is wise for you to pick any of these institutions as a second choice. By doing this, you know that you can comfortably apply for admission if your top choice does not admit you.
We hope you found this article educative and informative. You can rely on our site for accurate information on universities and their admission processes. If you have any questions, we are more than happy to treat them, reach out to us in the comments and expect swift answers. Do not forget to share this post with your friends and colleagues.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask by visiting our comment section and we will not hesitate to respond to you as soon as we can.
You can bookmark or save this page for a revisit. If you have any questions or further inquiries kindly drop them in the comment box below this page. Also, endeavor to share this page with family and friends.
If you want to have a personal chat/consultation with me, please 
Whatsapp/WhatsApp: 09114933077 To Connect For a Personal one on one Consultation.