If your JAMB score wasn’t high enough for direct university admission, the University of Jos (UNIJOS) IJMB Programme offers another route in.
You don’t need to retake JAMB, and if you succeed, you can go straight into 200 level at a Nigerian university.
This guide explains what you need to know about the UNIJOS IJMB Admission Form for 2026/2027, including requirements, fees, how to apply, and what you can expect after finishing the programme.
Contents
What IJMB Actually Is
IJMB means Interim Joint Matriculation Board. It is an Advanced Level programme managed by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, but you can study it at many universities in Nigeria, including UNIJOS.
The programme usually lasts nine to ten months.
After you finish and get your IJMB result, you can use it to apply for Direct Entry admission into 200-level at any Nigerian university that accepts IJMB, not just the one where you studied.
Importantly, you do not need to take JAMB or UTME for the IJMB route.
This option helps those who have found JAMB difficult or want a different way into university.
Who Is the UNIJOS IJMB Programme For
UNIJOS offers its IJMB Programme as part of its non-NUC-funded programmes.
The programme is available in three main areas:
- Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Arts
This means the programme is not just for science students.
Arts and social science students also have their own tracks, as long as they meet the entry requirements for their chosen area.
Entry Requirements for 2026/2027
Based on UNIJOS’s officially published entry conditions for the IJMB Programme, candidates are expected to meet the following:
For Sciences:
Five O’Level credits in Mathematics, English Language, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology, obtained from WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination.
For Social Sciences and Arts:
Five O’Level credits in relevant subjects such as English Language, Government, Economics, Geography, Christian Religious Studies (CRS), Islamic Religious Studies (IRS), Arabic, English Literature, History, Marketing, and Civic Education.
For both streams, you should have these O’Level credits from no more than two exam sittings.
You must also be at least 16 years old by the time you are admitted, as with other UNIJOS remedial and pre-degree programmes.
Cost of the UNIJOS IJMB Form
For the 2026/2027 academic session, the UNIJOS IJMB Admission Form costs ₦15,000, which is the same as last year.
Always pay through the official student portal.
Do not buy the form from anyone else, and be wary of anyone offering it at a different price.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Visit the official UNIJOS Portal at portal.unijos.edu.ng.
- Click on the “Programme” menu and select IJMB.
- Fill out the “Register an Account” form using a valid personal email address and a secure, memorable password.
- Select your programme of choice: IJMB Science, IJMB Arts, or IJMB Social Sciences and click “Register.”
- Check your email for an activation link. Click it to activate your account on the student portal.
- Log in to your activated account, then go to the Payment Portal to pay the ₦15,000 application fee.
- Complete your bio-data and academic details as prompted, upload your O’Level results, and submit your application before the stated closing date.
- Print your payment receipt and any confirmation documents for your records.
Since forms usually close at the end of the month once they open, apply as soon as possible rather than waiting until the last days.
What Happens After You Complete the Programme
Finishing the IJMB Programme gives you a chance to enter 200-level, but enrolling alone does not guarantee admission.
Here is how IJMB usually works at study centres in Nigeria:
- You sit for IJMB examinations in your chosen subject combination at the end of the programme.
- Your results are graded on a points system, and universities set their own minimum IJMB point requirements for specific courses, similar to JAMB cut-off marks.
- Once you have your result, you apply for Direct Entry admission into 200-level, either at UNIJOS itself (subject to space and department-specific requirements) or at any other Nigerian university that accepts IJMB results for your intended course.
- Direct Entry admission through JAMB CAPS is still typically required to formalise your 200-level placement, even though you bypassed the standard UTME route.
So, the subjects you choose during the IJMB programme matter because they determine which university courses you can apply for later.
Where to Get Help or Ask Questions
UNIJOS has shared direct contact details for its IJMB Desk Officer to help with questions during the application period.
If you have problems with registration, activation emails, or payment, use the official UNIJOS contact channels.
This is the safest way to get help and protect your application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do I need to write JAMB before applying for the UNIJOS IJMB Programme?
No. One of the main advantages of the IJMB route is that it does not require a JAMB/UTME attempt.
You apply directly for the IJMB programme using your O’Level results, and your eventual 200-level placement is processed through Direct Entry rather than the standard UTME pathway.
2. How long does the UNIJOS IJMB Programme last?
IJMB programmes typically run for about nine to ten months, after which candidates sit for their final IJMB examinations and use the result to pursue Direct Entry admission into 200-level.
3. Can Arts and Social Science students apply, or is it only for Science students?
Both.
UNIJOS runs three separate IJMB tracks: Sciences, Social Sciences, and Arts, each with its own subject-specific O’Level requirements, so candidates across all three disciplines can apply.
4. How much does the UNIJOS IJMB form cost for 2026/2027?
Based on the most recent confirmed figure, the form costs ₦15,000, consistent with the prior session’s pricing.
Always confirm the current amount on the official portal before paying, since fees can change.
5. Am I guaranteed admission into UNIJOS after completing the IJMB Programme?
Not automatically.
Completing IJMB qualifies you to apply for Direct Entry admission.
However, actual placement still depends on meeting the specific department’s minimum point requirement and space availability, whether at UNIJOS or another university that accepts IJMB results for your course.
6. Can I use my UNIJOS IJMB result to apply to a different university?
Yes. IJMB results are recognised broadly across Nigerian universities that accept Direct Entry through this route, not solely at the institution where you studied the programme.
However, each university sets its own minimum points requirement per course.
7. What subject combination should I choose during IJMB?
Your subject combination should align with the course you intend to study at 200 level, since universities typically require specific subject combinations for Direct Entry into particular courses, the same way JAMB subject combinations work for UTME admission.
8. Is there an age requirement for the IJMB Programme?
Yes, consistent with similar UNIJOS remedial and pre-degree programmes, candidates are generally expected to be at least 16 years old by the time of admission.
9. What happens if I miss the IJMB form registration deadline?
Missing the stated closing date typically means you’ll need to wait for the next admission cycle, since UNIJOS has not historically indicated a standing late-registration window for this specific programme, as it sometimes does for its Remedial Science Programme.
10. Who do I contact if I have issues with my UNIJOS IJMB application?
UNIJOS has previously published direct contact details for its IJMB Desk Officer specifically to handle applicant enquiries.
Always use officially published contact channels from the university’s own announcements rather than relying on third-party agents claiming to assist with applications.
Final Thoughts
The UNIJOS IJMB Programme is a good JAMB-free option for students who want to enter 200-level in Sciences, Social Sciences, or Arts at a Nigerian university.
For 2026/2027, the form costs ₦15,000, and you need five O-Level credits, as in recent years.
Always check the official portal for the latest dates and fees before you pay, as they can change slightly each year.
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