The highly anticipated JAMB change of course and institution process for the 2026 UTME cycle has officially commenced.
Following the recent release of exam scores and the pivotal May 11th policy meeting, candidates now have a fresh opportunity to realign their academic goals.
If your UTME score fell short of your dream university’s cut-off mark, you do not have to give up on admission this year. The examination board has activated the official portal, allowing you to strategically switch to a school or program that perfectly matches your performance.
This detailed guide walks you through the exact steps, official costs, and rules governing the process.
When Did the JAMB Change of Course and Institution Begin?
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) officially opened the data correction portal on Friday, May 15, 2026. Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the board’s Public Communication Advisor, announced this crucial update via the board’s official social media channels. He confirmed that eligible candidates can immediately begin reviewing and modifying their admission preferences.
This rapid activation comes right on the heels of the national policy meeting. Candidates across the country are currently assessing their admission realities. The board deliberately opens this window now to give applicants enough time to adjust their choices before individual universities begin selling their Post-UTME screening forms.
Why You Might Need a JAMB Change of Course and Institution
You should not alter your initial registration randomly. However, certain situations make a JAMB change of course and institution absolutely necessary. Let us explore the most common reasons why candidates utilize this crucial lifeline.
1. Low UTME Scores
This is the primary reason for most modifications. If you applied to study Medicine at a highly competitive federal university but scored 190, your chances are virtually non-existent. You must strategically change your institution to a state university or polytechnic that accepts lower scores. Alternatively, you can change your course to a less competitive science program within the same school.
2. Change in Passion or Career Goals
Sometimes, clarity comes after the exam. You might have registered for Engineering out of parental pressure, but you genuinely want to study Computer Science. The portal gives you the freedom to finally align your application with your true career aspirations before the admission lists are compiled.
3. Discovery of Strict Admission Requirements
Many candidates make the mistake of choosing courses without checking the JAMB brochure. You might discover later that your chosen university strictly requires Further Mathematics for your course, but you did not write it. A JAMB change of course and institution is the only way to escape this technical disqualification.
How to Process Your JAMB Change of Course and Institution
Attempting to guess this process at a cyber cafe can lead to costly errors. You must follow the official protocol strictly. The examination board mandates that all data corrections must happen physically at accredited CBT centers to prevent fraud.
1. Visit an Accredited CBT Center:
Do not use unverified cyber cafes.
Locate the nearest JAMB-approved Computer-Based Test (CBT) center or a state JAMB office. Bring along your original UTME registration slip and your profile code.
2. Request a Data Correction:
Specify your exact needs.
Inform the CBT center operator that you want to change your JAMB course and/or institution. Provide them with the new university and course you intend to choose.
3. Make the Official Payment:
You will process the transaction through the portal.
You will pay the mandatory fee. The operator will initiate the payment directly through your JAMB CAPS profile using Remita or other approved payment gateways.
4. Complete Biometric Verification:
Your biometrics are crucial for authorization.
To authorize the final changes, the system will prompt you to place your finger on the biometric scanner. The system rejects any changes if your thumbprint does not match the initial registration data.
5. Print Your Confirmation Slip:
The confirmation slip serves as proof of the transaction.
Once the system successfully updates your profile, the operator must print out a new Change of Data Slip. You must keep this slip safely, as you will need it during your university screening clearance.
Official Costs and Necessary Requirements
Financial transparency is critical during this admission season. You must know exactly how much the board charges to avoid being exploited by unscrupulous agents. According to the official JAMB fee schedule for 2026, the baseline fee for a JAMB change of course and institution is exactly ₦2,500.
However, you must also pay a designated service charge to the CBT center. The board recently capped this printing and correction service charge at ₦100, though some centers may charge slightly more for the overall transaction process. Generally, you should budget around ₦3,000 to ₦3,500 to comfortably cover both the JAMB fee and CBT operational charges.
Can You Correct Other Data on the Portal?
Yes, the portal activation covers much more than just your school and course choices. The board understands that typographical errors happen during the initial, rushed registration phase. While you are at the CBT center, you can also fix several other critical biodata errors.
| Data Type | Cost | Correction Limit |
| Names (Spelling errors) | ₦2,500 | Once |
| Date of Birth | ₦2,500 | Once |
| State/Local Government Area | ₦2,500 | Once |
| Gender | ₦2,500 | Once |
Be extremely careful. As shown above, correcting your personal biodata is strictly a one-time opportunity. Conversely, you can execute a JAMB change of course and institution multiple times, provided you pay the ₦2,500 fee for every single attempt.
Printing Your 2026 Original UTME Result Slip
In addition to activating the data correction portal, the board announced another massive update. Starting Monday, May 18, 2026, candidates can finally print their original UTME result slips. Prior to this date, candidates could only view their scores via the “UTMERESULT” SMS prompt.
The original result slip is a mandatory document. It contains your passport photograph, your biometric details, and your official scores. Every single tertiary institution in Nigeria requires this specific color-printed slip during the post-UTME screening and final clearance exercises. The board charges a standard fee of ₦1,000 for this service. You can easily print this slip at the exact same time you process your data changes at the CBT center.
Print your original UTME slip at https://efacility.jamb.gov.ng/.
Final Takeaways Before You Visit a CBT Center
Do not rush into this decision. Before you step out of your house, consult the official JAMB Interactive Brochure. Ensure that your O’Level subject combination perfectly matches the requirements of the new course you want to select.
Furthermore, research the specific admission cut-off marks of your new target institution. If you want to switch to a state university, confirm that they have not already closed their screening applications for the year. A JAMB change of course and institution is only effective when paired with accurate, up-to-date research.
Take control of your admission journey today. Make the smart switch, print your original result slip, and start preparing aggressively for your upcoming institutional screenings.
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