Step‑by‑Step Guide to ABU Zaria Admission Process 2025/2026

1. What is ABU Zaria & What is Admission Process?

ABU Zaria stands for Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a large and well‑known federal university in Kaduna State, Nigeria. It offers many undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Admission Process means all the steps you take from deciding to apply, meeting requirements, submitting your details, screening, being offered admission, accepting it, and finally registering/matriculating.
There are two main routes: UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination) applicants and Direct Entry (DE) applicants who already hold higher qualifications like NCE, ND, HND, A‑Levels etc.
You must often meet a general cut‑off mark in UTME, satisfy O’Level / subject combination requirements, fill and submit the Post‑UTME / screening form, pay required fees, upload documents, and accept the offer (usually through JAMB CAPS).

2. Related Keywords & Terms to Know

To understand notices, search online, or follow what school wants, here are important terms:

ABU Zaria admission 2025/2026
ABU Zaria Post‑UTME screening
ABU Zaria Direct Entry (DE) admission
ABU Zaria eligibility requirements
ABU Zaria first choice institution
ABU JAMB cut‑off mark 2025/2026
ABU Zaria O’Level subject combination
ABU admission list and how to check it
Screening fee and portal for ABU
Change of institution via JAMB CAPS

Using these terms helps you find correct information faster and avoid wrong or fake sources.

3. Eligibility Requirements for ABU Zaria Admission 2025/2026

Before you apply, you must meet some requirements. If you don’t, your application may be rejected.

3.1 For UTME Applicants

To apply through UTME, you must:

Have written the 2025 UTME.
Score at least 180 marks or more in UTME. ABU Zaria requires at least 180 for eligibility.
Select ABU Zaria as your first choice institution in the JAMB UTME registration. If you did not, you may need to change via JAMB CAPS.
Have at least five (5) credit passes in relevant O’Level subjects (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB or equivalent). Must include English Language and Mathematics. Credits should be obtained in not more than two sittings. (

3.2 For Direct Entry Applicants

If you already have higher qualifications (e.g. NCE, ND, HND, A‑Level etc.), you must:

Register properly for DE via JAMB. You need a DE registration number.
Possess valid qualifications: e.g. NCE, ND, HND, IJMB, A‑Level etc. Grades may vary by department.
Have the same O’Level requirement: five credit passes including English Language & Mathematics, in no more than two sittings.

3.3 O’Level / Subject Combination Requirements

The choice of course you apply for influences required subjects. For example, for Medicine, Life Sciences etc., you need credits in Biology, Chemistry, Physics etc. If your course is Social Sciences, the required subjects differ. Always check the official ABU brochure for subject combination.
If your subject combination is wrong, you may be disqualified or asked to change course via JAMB CAPS.

4. Key Dates & Timeline for ABU Admission 2025/2026

Knowing when things happen helps you plan so you do not miss important windows.

Event	Start / Opening Date	Deadline / End Date
ABU Post‑UTME / DE Screening Registration Opens	Monday, 4 August 2025 (	Thursday, 21 August 2025
UTME Score Requirement Announced / Eligibility Confirmed	When ABU released screening notice (August) ()	—
Screening Fee Payment Window	During the registration period (early August to closing)	Must pay before end of registration 21 August
Screening / Verification Exercise Dates	Faculty‑based schedule between 18 – 21 August 2025	By 21 August 2025 for UTME screening
Uploading Documents / Correction Period	During registration period, before deadline	Must complete before 21 August or any specified deadlines.
Release of Admission Lists	After screening & verification, likely starting October / November 2025 or thereabouts (estimate)

5. Step‑by‑Step Application for ABU Zaria Admission

Here is each step you need to follow to apply properly and avoid mistakes.

5.1 Step 1: Check Eligibility Before Applying

Confirm that you scored 180 or more in UTME and selected ABU Zaria as first choice. If ABU is not your first choice, you may need to change institution via JAMB.
Ensure your O’Level results meet requirements: five credits including English & Maths, correct subject combination. If using two sittings, check that is allowed (ABU accepts up to two sittings).

5.2 Step 2: Watch for the Release of the Post‑UTME / DE Screening Form

ABU usually announces Post‑UTME / DE screening form availability via official channels. In 2025/2026, this was announced in late July with registration opening 4 August.
Always use the official ABU portal for form and instructions, not unverified sites.

5.3 Step 3: Pay Screening Fee

Once registration begins, you need to pay the screening fee. For 2025/2026, the fee is ₦2,000.
Payment is non‑refundable. Use approved methods (online via ATM, Remita slip to bank, etc.). You generally get a reference (RRR or similar) to make the payment.

5.4 Step 4: Complete Application / Screening Form

Visit ABU’s screening portal: portal.abu.edu.ng/forms or similar ABU official portal.
Log in with your JAMB UTME registration number (or DE registration number for DE candidates).
Fill in your personal information (name, address, etc.).
Enter your UTME score, O’Level subjects and grades, and for DE candidates, your higher qualifications.
Upload required documents: passport photograph, O’Level result, JAMB result slip, DE credentials (if applicable), birth certificate or age declaration, etc.

5.5 Step 5: Review, Submit, and Print Acknowledgement

Before submitting, review all entries carefully. Mistakes like wrong names, wrong subject listed, wrong grade can cause disqualification.
After submission, print or save the acknowledgment slip or submitted form printout. This may be useful for verification or asking questions later.

5.6 Step 6: Attend Screening / Verification (if required)

For ABU, the screening is mostly document verification and checking your eligibility. Some faculties may have additional specific screening dates.
You may be required to go to ABU campus (or designated screening venues) on scheduled dates for physical verification of documents. Bring originals of uploaded documents.

5.7 Step 7: Wait for Admission List / Status

After the screening / verification, ABU will release admission lists in batches. Your name may be on the first batch or later batch.
Also your status may appear on JAMB CAPS (Central Admission Processing System) — you must check there.

6. Screening / Post‑UTME / DE Verification Process

Here’s more detail about what this screening / verification involves, what ABU expects, and what you need to do.

ABU’s screening is sometimes described as Post‑UTME / Direct Entry screening. It is not always a written test; often it is verification of eligibility (UTME score, O’Level results, subject combinations, first choice selection).
The verification may include checking the authenticity of O’Level certificates, ensuring the uploaded/backed documents are correct. If there are discrepancies, ABU may reject the application.
For some faculties, there are faculty‑based screening schedules, meaning each faculty is screened on specific days. In 2025/2026, ABU scheduled screening by faculties between 18 – 21 August for UTME.
You might be asked to come in person (for document check) or simply have your documents uploaded and verified online or physically. Bring originals.

7. ABU Zaria First Choice Requirement & Change of Institution

ABU requires that UTME candidates select ABU Zaria as their first choice institution in the JAMB UTME registration in order to be eligible for the screening. If ABU was not your first choice, you may be disqualified unless you did a Change of Institution via JAMB CAPS before the screening.
If you realize ABU was not your first choice, check if the JAMB portal allows “Change of Institution” before screening deadline. This is important.

8. How to Check Admission List & Admission Status

Once the screening is done and admission lists are released, you need to know how to check whether you have been offered admission.

8.1 Checking via ABU Portal

ABU may publish admission lists on its official portal or a specific admission portal. Sometimes you enter your UTME or DE registration number and check “Admission Status” or “Admission List.”
The portal may show “Congratulations ‑ you have been offered admission” along with your course/faculty if you are admitted. If not, it may show “Not admitted yet” or similar.

8.2 Checking via JAMB CAPS

JAMB CAPS (Central Admission Processing System) is used to accept or reject admission offers. After ABU offers admission, you must accept via JAMB CAPS to confirm you want the admission.
Login to JAMB e‑facility or CAPS, check the “Check Admission Status” section. If your admission shows, you accept or reject. If you do not accept, your admission may be lost.

8.3 Checking Email / SMS or Notice

Sometimes ABU or JAMB will send an email or SMS to admitted candidates. If you provided correct contact info, check them.
Also check ABU’s official news/announcements page; sometimes they publish names or batch information.

9. Pros & Cons of ABU Zaria Admission Process

Knowing what is good and what is difficult helps you plan better.

9.1 Pros (What is good)

The process is relatively clear: eligibility, fee, form, document uploading etc. ABU publishes notice
Fee is not very high (₦2,000) compared to some schools
The screening is mostly document verification and eligibility rather than always a hard exam. This can reduce stress.
It provides first choice requirement; so if you plan early and choose ABU early, you can avoid last minute changes.

9.2 Cons (Challenges)

Many candidates score 180, so competition is high, especially for popular courses; meeting the minimum does not guarantee you get admitted into your desired course.
Mistakes like wrong subject combination, missing documents, or missing deadline can lead to disqualification.
The screening timeline is tight. Registration and screening windows are short; if you miss deadline, you lose your chance.
Some faculties may have additional requirements. If you don’t prepare well, you might fall short.

10. Comparison: ABU Zaria vs Other Federal Universities’ Admission Processes

Comparing helps you see differences and what ABU expects relative to others.

Feature	ABU Zaria 2025/2026	Typical of Many Other Federal Universities
Cut‑off UTME score required for eligibility	180 general cut‑off for many courses.	Many universities also set 180, though some very competitive ones require higher (200‑220 etc.)
First Choice Institution requirement	Required. UTME candidates must have chosen ABU as first choice.	Similar requirement in many universities; some allow second choice but preference given to first choice
Screening / Post UTME test	ABU’s screening is mostly document‑based; may not always include exam for all faculties.	Some universities have mandatory written CBT / test; some do not; depends on institution
Fees for screening	₦2,000 for ABU screening form.	Other universities have similar or slightly higher fees; many also use REMITA or portal payments
Timeline (Registration / Opening)	Early August — registration from 4 to 21 August (2025) for screening.	Comparable; many schools open screening around July/August after UTME results

11. Real Example Scenarios of Candidates (UTME & DE)

Here are some example stories to help you see how this works in real life.

Example 1: UTME Candidate – Mary

Mary wrote UTME 2025 and scored 190. She selected ABU Zaria as her first choice. She has five credit passes: English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics.
When ABU announced screening, she logged in on 4 August, generated the screening form, paid the ₦2,000 fee via Remita, filled the form, uploaded her documents, including her birth certificate.
On screening day (faculty scheduling), she brings originals. After verification, she waits for admission list. Later in October/November her name appears in the first batch. She checks JAMB CAPS, accepts the offer.

Example 2: Direct Entry Candidate – John

John holds ND (with lower credit) and two A‑Level passes in relevant subjects. He also has the five required O’Level credits including English & Maths.
He registered for DE through JAMB and selected ABU as first choice. When ABU opened DE screening, he logs on, pays fee, uploads ND transcript and A‑Level papers, his O’Level, etc.
He ensures his documents are certified and correctly scanned. After verification, ABU offers him admission into 200 Level. He accepts via CAPS.

Example 3: Candidate Who Did Not Select ABU First Choice – Sarah

Sarah wrote UTME 2025 and scored 185. But she mistakenly put another university as first choice instead of ABU. She noticed this before ABU screening.
She uses the Change of Institution option in JAMB CAPS to swap to ABU as first choice before screening deadline. She then becomes eligible. She fills ABU screening form, pays, uploads documents.

12. Summary Table Before Conclusion

Here is a helpful summary of the major steps, requirements, tips to watch out for in ABU Zaria admission 2025/2026:

Stage	What to Do	Key Tips / Reminders
Eligibility Check	Score ≥ 180 UTME, correct subject combination, ABU first choice	Don’t skip subject combo checks and make sure ABU is first choice early
Form Release	Watch ABU announcements around July/August for screening / post‑UTME forms	Use only official ABU portal or ABU’s notice board; avoid fake sites
Fee Payment	Pay screening fee (₦2,000) via approved methods (Remita, bank etc.)	Keep your payment receipt; ensure no mistake with the reference code
Application / Uploading Documents	Fill bio‑data, academic records; upload jpeg / PDF of O’Level, JAMB slip, photo etc.	Ensure clarity of scanned documents; double check all entries before submit
Verification / Screening	Attend screening, bring originals if required; ABU checks documents	Prepare originals; follow schedule by faculty; arrive early
Check Admission List & Status	Monitor ABU portal and JAMB CAPS; accept offers	Accept in CAPS; print admission letter; prepare other steps like clearance
Backup Plans	Have alternative courses & schools if desired course is very competitive	Apply early; aim higher than minimum; maybe not put all eggs in one course

Conclusion

Admission into ABU Zaria for 2025/2026 is possible if you follow each step carefully. Make sure you meet eligibility: UTME score (180+), O’Level credit passes including English & Mathematics, correct subject combination, ABU as first choice. When ABU releases the screening form (as they did in August 2025), pay the screening fee, fill the form correctly, upload documents, attend verification if required. Then wait for the admission list, check your status via ABU portal and JAMB CAPS, accept the offer if you get one, and proceed with registration.

By being organized, starting early, checking official announcements, avoiding mistakes and frauds, you stand a much better chance to gain admission. Good luck!