Universities that accept IJMB in Nigeria are becoming the quiet lifesaver for many students who are tired of waiting for JAMB miracles.
I would begin with a little fact that you learn too late and the majority of students.
UTME is taken by thousands of candidates every year.
Many score 140, 165, 178, even 198. Not bad scores. But admission still does not come. Then the next year begins again. Another registration. New reading schedules. Another hope.
Now add this to the confusion. While you are worrying about admission, JAMB announces the mock exam date, CBT reprints, and all the pressure starts again. You begin to ask yourself a serious question.
Is my entire future supposed to depend on one exam day?
That is exactly where IJMB enters the conversation.
IJMB is not a shortcut. It is not magic. It is simply another door into university. And honestly, for many Nigerian students, it is a smarter door.
Some students are already aware of the school they will be joining next year since they are taking IJMB, where others are worrying about timetable of the JAMBs mock examination.
I would explain everything to you calmly so that you really get to know how it works and the universities in which IJMB is accepted in Nigeria.
What IJMB Really Means
IJMB stands for Interim Joint Matriculation Board.
It is a 9 month academic programme moderated by Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. When you finish, you use the result to enter 200 level through Direct Entry.
Yes. Straight 200 level.
No UTME score required.
You will still do JAMB Direct Entry form, but you will not write UTME exam.
This is why many students now quietly move to IJMB while others are still rewriting JAMB for the third or fourth time.
Complete List Of Universities That Accept IJMB In Nigeria
This is the part that you have been waiting for. In this section, we are going to categorize the schools that accept IJMB in Nigeria into 3 which will be Federal, State and Private universities.
Federal Universities That Accept IJMB In Nigeria
| S/N | Federal Universities |
|---|---|
| 1 | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY DUTSE (FUD) |
| 2 | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY BIRNIN-KEBBI (FUBK) |
| 3 | BAYERO UNIVERSITY KANO (BUK) |
| 4 | AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY (ABU) |
| 5 | ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA UNIVERSITY (ATBU) |
| 6 | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LAFIA (FULAFIA) |
| 7 | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY KASHERE (FUKASHERE) |
| 8 | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY GUSAU (FUGUS) |
| 9 | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY GASHUA (FUGASHUA) |
| 10 | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY DUTSIN-MA (FUDMA) |
| 11 | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AKURE (FUTA) |
| 12 | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM RESOURCES EFFURUN (FUPRE) |
| 13 | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE MAKURDI (FUAM) |
| 14 | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE ABEOKUTA (FUNAAB) |
| 15 | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LOKOJA (FULOKOJA) |
| 16 | MODIBBO ADAMA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (MAUTECH) |
| 17 | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY WUKARI (FUWUKARI) |
| 18 | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OYE-EKITI (FUOYE) |
| 19 | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OTUOKE (FUOTUOKE) |
| 20 | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY MINNA (FUTMINNA) |
| 21 | UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR (UNICAL) |
| 22 | UNIVERSITY OF BENIN (UNIBEN) |
| 23 | UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA (UNIABUJA) |
| 24 | NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY (UNIZIK) |
| 25 | NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA (NOUN) |
| 26 | USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY SOKOTO (UDUSOK) |
| 27 | UNIVERSITY OF UYO (UNIUYO) |
| 28 | UNIVERSITY OF JOS (UNIJOS) |
| 29 | UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI (UNIMAID) |
| 30 | UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN (UNILORIN) |
State Universities That Accept IJMB In Nigeria
| S/N | State Universities |
|---|---|
| 1 | BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY GADAU (BASUG) |
| 2 | AKWA-IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY (AKSU) |
| 3 | ADAMAWA STATE UNIVERSITY (ADSU) |
| 4 | ADEKUNLE AJASIN UNIVERSITY AKUNGBA (AAUA) |
| 5 | ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY (ABSU) |
| 6 | DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY (DELSU) |
| 7 | CROSS RIVER UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (CRUTECH) |
| 8 | CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU OJUKWU UNIVERSITY (COOU) formerly ANSU |
| 9 | BAKAR ABBA IBRAHIM UNIVERSITY (BAU) |
| 10 | BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY (BSU) |
| 11 | IBRAHIM BADAMASI BABANGIDA UNIVERSITY (IBBU) |
| 12 | GOMBE STATE UNIVERSITY (GOMSU) |
| 13 | EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY (EKSU) |
| 14 | ENUGU STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (ESUT) |
| 15 | EBONYI STATE UNIVERSITY (EBSU) |
| 16 | KEBBI STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ALIERO (KSUSTA) |
| 17 | KANO STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (KUST) |
| 18 | IMO STATE UNIVERSITY (IMSU) |
| 19 | KADUNA STATE UNIVERSITY (KASU) |
| 20 | IGNATIUS AJURU UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION (IAUED) |
| 21 | NIGER DELTA UNIVERSITY (NDU) |
| 22 | NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY KEFFI (NSUK) |
| 23 | LADOKE AKINTOLA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (LAUTECH) |
| 24 | KWARA STATE UNIVERSITY (KWASU) |
| 25 | KOGI STATE UNIVERSITY (KSU) |
| 26 | RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY (RSU) |
| 27 | PLATEAU STATE UNIVERSITY (PLASU) |
| 28 | OSUN STATE UNIVERSITY (UNIOSUN) |
| 29 | ONDO STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (OSUSTECH) |
| 30 | NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY (NWU) |
| 31 | TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY IBADAN (TECH-U) |
| 32 | TARABA STATE UNIVERSITY (TASU) |
Private Universities That Accept IJMB In Nigeria
| S/N | Private Universities |
|---|---|
| 1 | SALEM UNIVERSITY |
| 2 | RHEMA UNIVERSITY |
| 3 | RENAISSANCE UNIVERSITY |
| 4 | REDEEMERS UNIVERSITY |
| 5 | WESTERN DELTA UNIVERSITY |
| 6 | WESLEY UNIVERSITY |
| 7 | VERITAS UNIVERSITY |
| 8 | WELLSPRING UNIVERSITY |
| 9 | SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY |
| 10 | BABCOCK UNIVERSITY |
| 11 | BOWEN UNIVERSITY |
| 12 | CALEB UNIVERSITY |
| 13 | COVENANT UNIVERSITY |
| 14 | CRESCENT UNIVERSITY |
| 15 | AJAYI CROWTHER UNIVERSITY |
| 16 | BELLS UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY |
Why Students Are Quietly Choosing Universities That Accept IJMB In Nigeria
Here is something many people will not tell you openly.
The problem is not always your intelligence.
The problem is admission competition.
Universities can receive 60,000 applicants for 7,000 slots. That means even smart students will still not get admission. It is mathematics, not wickedness.
IJMB changes the competition level.
Instead of fighting millions of UTME candidates, you are now applying as a Direct Entry candidate. The pool is smaller. The chances are higher.
That is why interest in universities that accept IJMB in Nigeria keeps increasing every year.
How IJMB Relates to the 2026 JAMB Mock Exam
You may still be preparing for the 2026 JAMB mock exam right now.
That is fine.
But here is the real difference.
JAMB mock is practice.
IJMB is progress.
Mock exam helps you test CBT familiarity. IJMB helps you secure admission regardless of UTME score.
Some students even run both together.
That is a very smart approach.
How IJMB Works in Simple Terms
You study three subjects related to your intended course.
For example
Medicine student
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Law student
Government
Literature
CRS
Engineering student
Physics
Chemistry
Mathematics
You attend lectures for about 9 months.
You write the final IJMB exam once.
No CBT pressure.
No one day tension.
Your performance is graded by points. Universities accept different points.
How Many IJMB Points Do You Need?
This is where many students misunderstand IJMB.
Your points determine your course.
5 to 7 points
Education courses
7 to 9 points
Social sciences
9 to 12 points
Engineering and sciences
12 to 15 points
Medicine and Law
This is why knowing universities that accept IJMB in Nigeria is not enough. You must also target the correct points.
A Hidden Advantage Nobody Talks About
Here is something rarely explained online.
IJMB trains you for university style learning.
University is not like secondary school. No one will chase you to read. There are no lesson teacher. No daily homework.
Students who enter through IJMB adapt faster in 200 level than UTME students in 100 level. Many lecturers even notice it.
Why?
Because IJMB already exposed them to lecture style teaching and independent study.
Common Mistakes Students Make During IJMB
Many students fail IJMB not because it is hard but because of wrong mindset.
They treat it like secondary school.
IJMB is closer to university foundation programme. You must read weekly. You must practice past questions. Attendance matters.
The students who succeed in universities that accept IJMB in Nigeria are usually the consistent readers, not necessarily the smartest.
How to Apply for IJMB
The process is simple.
Choose an accredited IJMB study centre
Register
Pick your subjects
Start lectures
After completion, you will purchase JAMB Direct Entry form and choose from universities that accept IJMB in Nigeria.
Is IJMB Better Than JUPEB?
Both are good.
JUPEB is popular in southern Nigeria.
IJMB is more accepted in northern and central universities.
However, IJMB has one unique advantage.
Lower cost.
That is why many parents prefer it.
When Should You Start IJMB
The best time is immediately after WAEC or NECO.
Do not waste a year waiting for JAMB admission that may not come. Many students only realize this after two or three attempts.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I combine WAEC and NECO result for IJMB admission?
Yes. Most study centres allow two sittings.
2. Can IJMB result expire?
No. But universities prefer recent results within a few years.
3. Can I use IJMB to study abroad?
Some foreign universities accept foundation equivalents but you must confirm directly.
4. Is hostel compulsory during IJMB?
No. Some centres allow day students.
5. Can commercial students run IJMB?
Yes. IJMB covers arts, social science, and science courses.
6. Will I still write Post UTME?
Some universities may still screen Direct Entry applicants but it is easier than UTME competition.
7. Can IJMB enter Nursing?
Yes, but you need high points and correct subject combination.
Conclusion
At some point, every serious student must decide whether to keep waiting for admission or change strategy. JAMB is important but it should not be your only path.
Most of the students in present times are well aware of the department they are joining next session since they took another direction early on. They were silently studying when other students were still having another mock examination.
It is the reason why awareness regarding universities that accept IJMB in Nigeria continues to increase. It provides the students the autonomy to their admissions rather than to chance everything.
So the real question is not whether JAMB will be hard next year.
The real question is simple.
Do you want to keep hoping for admission or do you want to plan for admission using universities that accept IJMB in Nigeria?