Victor EzejaThe surging number of students seeking access to higher education in Nigeria on yearly basis has created intense competition for admission in popular universities, especially federal and state-owned ones. This thus, makes many students unable to get the opportunity of being admitted in schools of their first choice.
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Yet, there are a good number of universities that accept second choice candidates.
Are you looking for admission into university to study a course of your choice but scared of missing your first choice? Don’t worry. Here, we have a comprehensive list of federal, state and private universities that accept second choice applicants.
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The list will guide your decision-making during application for admission.
What is a Second Choice university?
The term ‘Second choice university’ is a designation for schools a student selected as second choice during the application process for University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
It simply means an alternative option for students who did not meet the admission requirements of their first choice university. So, if your preferred institution (first choice) didn’t accept you, you have the option of applying to another one as your backup choice (as indicated in the application process).
List of University Accepting Second Choice Candidates
Federal Universities
Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State
Federal University Birnin Kebbi
Federal University Gashua, Yobe State.
Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State
Fedral University Otuoke, Bayelsa State.
Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI)
Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE)
Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA)
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU)
Federal University Lafia, Nasarawa State
Federal University Lokoja
Federal University Kashere, Gombe State.
Federal University Wukari, Taraba State
University Of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Borno State.
State Universities
Abia State University, Uturu
Adamawa State University, Mubi
Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot-Akpaden
Anambra State University, Uli
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi
Cross Rivers University of Technology, Calabar
Private Universities
American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa
Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, Abia
Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Delta State, Delta
Modibo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa
Novena University, Ogume, Delta State
Obong University, Obong, Ntak Akwa-Ibom
Paul University, Awka Anambra
Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State
Tansian University, Oba, anambra State, Anambra
University of Mkar, Gboko, Benue State
Western Delta University, Ogbara, Delta State, Delta.
Admission Requirements for Second Choice universities
Universities that accept students who choose them as second choice also have similar admission requirements like other universities that take only first choice. In other words, they all have the same criteria for admission.
Admission requirements for second choice universities include:
- Applying to second choice universities
- Meeting the minimum cut-off mark for your university in your UTME score
- Meeting the minimum cut-off mark for screening test (PUTME)
Having O-level requirements (five credits including Mathematics and English). - Complying with any additional departmental specifications (such as subject combinations for certain courses).
How to apply for universities of your second choice
The process of applying to universities of second choice is similar with that of first choice. The student need to take the following steps:
- Register for UTME conducted by Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). During registration for UTME, the applicant is required to select universities of top choice.
- Sit for the examination and wait for results to know if you are qualified.
Follow the application guidelines provided by the university chosen.
Why you should apply for second choice university
- Due to intense competition in schools that consider mainly first choice applicants, applying to universities that accept second choice candidates increases one’s chances of gaining admission, especially when the top choice fails.
- Applying to a second choice gives one the opportunity to explore other universities and courses that one did not consider before which could later turn out to be more interesting or beneficial to the student based on disposition and choice of career prospect.
Things to Note About Second Choice Application
Second choice applicants receive the same consideration as those of first choice once they meet all admission requirements.
Second choice applicants can apply to different universities at the same time provided that they pay the required application fees.
Also, second choice applicants can switch from one school to another but within the period before the admission deadline. All the applicant need to do is notify JAMB and follow all necessary procedures accordingly.
Conclusion
The intense competition for admission in popular universities in Nigeria have over time, made it impossible for many students to be admitted by their first choice institutions. However, experience has shown that many who later went for second choice schools ended up studying courses they later made a successful career with.
The list of universities – federal, state and privately-owned ones – presented above, offers a useful guide to students seeking access to higher institutions to explore and increases their chances of gaining admission.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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