Universities That Use Screening Instead of Post‑UTME in Nigeria 2025/2026

Introduction

In Nigeria, after JAMB, many universities require a Post‑UTME exam. But some use a simpler method called screening. Screening means the school looks at your JAMB result, O’Level grades, and maybe other documents—without asking you to write another exam or test.

This article tells you clearly: which universities that use screening instead of Post‑UTME are doing so in 2025/2026, and how it works. It is easy to read—like for a 10‑year‑old—but still professional. We’ll explain what screening is, how to know which universities use it, how to apply, the pros and cons, comparisons, examples, a summary table, and lots of FAQs. Let’s explore!

1. What Is Screening Instead of Post‑UTME? (Definition & Purpose)

Screening is when a university checks your application documents—like your JAMB score, O’Level results (like WAEC, NECO), birth certificate, and maybe your LGA or domicile information. They do this without asking you to write an extra test. It is simpler than Post‑UTME exam and can be easier for students.

Example: A student applied to a university that uses screening. They sent their JAMB registration number, WAEC results, and paid a screening fee online. The school just checked the details, and if the scores are good enough, made admission decisions—without asking the student to take another exam.

2. Why Some Universities Use Screening (Importance)

Saves time and effort: Students don’t travel or write another test. It is fast.
Less stress: No exam day, no extra worry. Students only focus on JAMB and O’Levels.
Good for small or private universities that want to simplify process.
Flexible for students with mobility challenges or living in remote areas.
Especially useful during times of disruption (like pandemics) or where exam centers are hard to reach.

3. How to Find Universities Using Screening (How‑To)

Here’s how to know which universities use screening instead of Post‑UTME:

Check the university’s official admission portal or website—they clearly state “No Post‑UTME, screening only” if that’s the case.
Look at the JAMB brochure for the year; it lists which universities use screening.
Follow the school’s official social media or admission updates—some post “screening in place of Post‑UTME”.
Contact the school’s admission office by phone, email, or WhatsApp and ask directly.
Talk to current students or alumni—they know if their school skipped Post‑UTME.

4. List of Universities That Use Screening Instead of Post‑UTME in Nigeria 2025/2026 (Examples)

Below is a list of universities typically known to use screening—no Post‑UTME—for one or more admission cycles. But each year can change, so always check the official 2025/2026 portal.

A. Federal Universities

These federal schools use screening instead of Post‑UTME (in some cycles or for some programmes):

Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna – uses screening, physical, medical, and JAMB only.
Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna – screening includes JAMB score and O’Levels; no separate Post‑UTME.
United States University Programme affiliated schools – screening only (check specific ones).

B. State Universities

Some state universities may skip Post‑UTME for specific faculties or for all applicants:

Osun State University (UNIOSUN) – some years use screening only for certain courses.
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi – though federal, some programs use screening instead of Post‑UTME.
Kwara State University (KWASU) – occasionally uses screening for late-admission or catch-up sessions.

C. Private Universities

Many private universities prefer screening to save time and resources:

American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola – uses JAMB score, O’Levels, and application — no Post‑UTME.
Bingham University, Karu – screening-based admission.
Landmark University, Omu-Aran – uses screening for most programmes.
Dominion University – uses screening only.
Igbinedion University, Okada – some sessions use screening only.

Note: The above are examples based on recent patterns. Always confirm via each school’s official site for 2025/2026.

5. How to Apply and Prepare for Screening Universities (Steps)

Applying when screening replaces Post‑UTME is simpler, but you still need to follow steps carefully.

Step 1: Check If You Qualify

Ensure you meet the school’s JAMB cut‑off and O’Level (WAEC, NECO) requirements for your course.

Step 2: Visit the Official Portal

Go to the university’s official admission website.
Look for “Screening” or “Admission Requirements” tab.
Read instructions—sometimes, the portal says “No Post‑UTME; screening only”.

Step 3: Register Online for Screening

Enter your details: JAMB registration number, O’Level grades, other required data.
Upload documents if needed: WAEC/NECO result, birth certificate, local government certificate, etc.
Pay the screening fee online (often via Remita, bank, or payment gateway).
Print the acknowledgement or screening slip—keep for your record.

Step 4: Monitor Application Status

After submission, check the portal for your screening result—usually within days to a couple of weeks.
The portal will tell you if you are “eligible for admission”, “on hold”, or “not eligible”.

Step 5: Admission and Next Steps

If you are eligible, your admission status may change to “YOUR ADMISSION IS APPROVED”.
Print your admission letter and proceed to payment of acceptance fee, matriculation, and course registration.

6. Advantages and Disadvantages of Screening vs Post‑UTME (Pros & Cons)

Here’s a clear list:

Advantages of Screening

No exam stress – students don’t write another test.
Saves time and money – no travel, no exam center costs.
Faster admission decisions – screening is quicker than grading exams.
Accessible – better for students in remote areas or with mobility issues.
Safe – great during outbreaks or if exam centers are insecure.

Disadvantages of Screening

Less opportunity to improve – if your JAMB score was low, screening might not let you boost your result with a strong Post‑UTME.
Risk of errors – wrong document uploads or typing mistakes can cost your admission chance.
Less competitive edge – no chance to stand out with exam performance.
Possible system glitches – if portal fails, your application might delay or be rejected.

Advantages of Post‑UTME

Second chance to prove yourself – you can sharpen your score with a good performance.
More control – even with moderate JAMB, a strong Post‑UTME can help.
Fairness – you get evaluated the same day on same questions as peers.

Disadvantages of Post‑UTME

Extra stress and travel – you must go to exam center, face time pressure.
Cost and time – fee, transport, prep time.
Exam uncertainty – you must manage exam nerves and performance.

7. Comparison: Screening‑Only vs Post‑UTME Universities

Below is a simple comparison table to help you understand key differences:

Feature	Screening‑Only Universities	Post‑UTME Universities
Admission Test	No exam—just document review	Must write a test after JAMB
Time to Admission Decision	Often faster (days to weeks)	Slower (weeks to months)
Stress Level	Low—no exam day worries	Higher—exam prep and performance required
Opportunity to Improve Score	No—based only on JAMB and O’Levels	Yes—good Post‑UTME can boost chances
Cost	Lower (just screening fee)	Higher (exam fee, travel costs)
Accessibility	Very high—online only	Less—needs travel to exam venues
Risk of Mistake	Upload or data entry errors matter	Exam performance is more straightforward
Best For	Students with good JAMB/O’Level, remote or low‑stress applicants	Students needing to improve score, or wanting exam‑based selection

8. Summary Table Before Conclusion

Here’s a summary of all the major points we covered:

Topic	Key Points
Definition (Screening)	No Post‑UTME—university reviews your documents only.
Why Screening Matters	Saves time, reduces stress, good for remote students, faster decisions.
How to Find Universities	Check university portal, JAMB brochure, social media, contact school.
Example Universities	NDA, AUN, Landmark, etc.—must verify via portal each year.
Application Steps	Qualify → Register online → Upload docs → Pay fee → Check result
Pros and Cons	Screening is easy but no chance to improve; Post‑UTME gives second chance.
Comparison Table	Highlights key differences to help choose best path for you.

9. FAQs with Clear Answers (User Questions)

1. What does “screening only” mean in university admission?
It means the school evaluates your documents—JAMB and O’Levels—without making you write a Post‑UTME exam.

2. Which universities use screening instead of Post‑UTME?
Examples include NDA, AUN, Landmark, Bingham—but you must check each university’s 2025/2026 portal to be sure.

3. How much is the screening fee?
It varies by school, often between ₦1,000 and ₦5,000. Some private universities may charge higher.

4. How long does screening take?
Typically a few days to a couple of weeks after submission. Faster than Post‑UTME.

5. Can I apply to both screening-only and Post‑UTME schools?
Yes. Just follow each school’s requirement: register and apply separately online.

6. What if my documents fail screening?
Check for errors like wrong result uploads or bad JPG scans. Some schools allow correction; others may reject outright.

7. Is screening less fair than Post‑UTME?
Not necessarily. Screening rewards consistent results, but it doesn’t give a second chance to perform well in a test.

8. Can I still study poorly scored areas in JAMB via screening?
No. Screening does not test your current knowledge. You must rely on your JAMB and O’Level results.

9. Do I need to travel anywhere for screening?
Usually no. Screening is online—just do it at home or school with internet access.

10. Do some courses still require clearance tests even under screening?
Yes. Some professional courses (like Medicine, Engineering) may require additional screening like interviews, physical fitness, or portfolio review.

11. What if I live abroad—can I use screening universities?
Yes, as long as you submit required digital documents and meet JAMB and O’Level requirements.

12. What mistakes should I avoid during screening?
Common mistakes: wrong upload, wrong JAMB number, poor scan quality, wrong O’Level year, missing documents.

13. When are screening-only universities likely to release admission lists?
Usually within less than a month after application—check your portal often.

10. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In summary, some universities in Nigeria use screening instead of Post‑UTME for their 2025/2026 admission process. Screening is a faster, simpler method—schools check your JAMB score, O’Level results, and other documents without asking you to sit for another exam.

Here’s what we covered:

Definition and purpose of screening in place of Post‑UTME.
Why it matters: saves time, less stress, fast decisions.
How to find such universities: check portals, brochures, contact schools.
Example schools (Federal, State, Private) using screening—but always check the latest info.
Step‑by‑step guide to apply using screening.
Pros and cons compared to Post‑UTME.
Comparison table to show differences visually.
FAQs with simple, clear answers.

Tips for students:

Always check the official 2025/2026 admission portal for each university.
Ensure your JAMB and O’Level results meet requirements before applying.
Submit accurate documents, and double-check uploads.
Use this method for fast and stress‑free admission, especially if you prefer online processes.