A newly compiled list of Nigerian universities and their admission screening methods has revealed a clear divide in how higher institutions assess candidates after the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). While some universities continue to conduct the traditional Post UTME examinations, a larger number have adopted online screening processes, signalling a gradual shift in admission strategies across the country.

Findings by https://akahinews.org show that this trend reflects evolving priorities in Nigeria’s education system, where efficiency, accessibility, and cost considerations are increasingly shaping institutional decisions.

Universities Retaining Post UTME Examinations

Despite ongoing debates about its relevance, several universities still conduct Post UTME examinations as part of their admission process. These institutions argue that written tests provide an additional layer of assessment beyond UTME scores.

LIST OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES BY ADMISSION SCREENING METHOD (FULL NAMES & ACRONYMS)

UNIVERSITIES THAT CONDUCT POST UTME (WRITTEN EXAM)

1. University of Lagos (UNILAG)
2. University of Ibadan (UI)
3. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
4. Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED)
5. Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)
6. University of Delta, Agbor (UNIDEL)
7. Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU)
8. Niger Delta University (NDU)
9. Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA)
10. University of Benin (UNIBEN)
11. University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)
12. University of Calabar (UNICAL)
13. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
14. Rivers State University (RSU)
15. Imo State University (IMSU)
16. Abia State University (ABSU)
17. Sokoto Medical Sciences University (SMS) (verify official name)

UNIVERSITIES THAT CONDUCT ONLY ONLINE SCREENING (NO POST UTME)

1. Lagos State University (LASU)
2. Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH)
3. Federal University, Otuoke (FUOTUOKE)
4. Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
5. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU)
6. Ekiti State University (EKSU)
7. Kwara State University (KWASU)
8. Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA)
9. Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE)
10. University of Jos (UNIJOS)
11. Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA)
12. Bayero University, Kano (BUK)
13. University of Abuja (UNIABUJA)
14. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)
15. Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA)
16. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU)
17. University of Uyo (UNIUYO)
18. Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH)
19. Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (AAU)
20. Ebonyi State University (EBSU)
21. Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH)
22. Modibbo Adama University, Yola (MAUTECH)
23. Osun State University (UNIOSUN)
24. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)
25. Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)
26. Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)
27. Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT)
28. Lagos State University of Education (LASUED)
29. (ANIMATED – likely incorrect or requires verification)
30. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
31. Federal University, Kashere (FUKASHERE)
32. Taraba State University (TASU)
33. Yobe State University (YSU)
34. Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK)
35. Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUSOK)
36. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU)
37. Federal University, Gashua (FUGASHUA)
38. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
39. Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina (UMYU)
40. Kaduna State University (KASU)
41. Adamawa State University, Mubi (ADSU)
42. University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)
43. Sokoto State University (SSU)
44. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (ATBU)
45. Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa (SLU)
46. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBU)
47. Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi (SAZU) (formerly BASUG)
48. Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU)
49. University of Cross River State (UNICROSS)
50. University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) (duplicate of UNICROS)
51. Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI)

SPECIAL CASE

• Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA) – PUTME Screening (may include Post UTME elements; confirm officially)

IMPORTANT NOTE

Admission screening methods can change yearly. Candidates are strongly advised to confirm the latest updates directly from each institution before applying.

The universities identified include:

UNILAG
UNIBADAN
UNILORIN
TASUED
OOU
UNIDEL
DELSU
NDU
NDA
UNIBEN
UNIPORT
UNICAL
OAU
RSU
IMSU
ABSU
SMS

According to education analysts who spoke with journalists, institutions in this category often maintain that Post UTME helps to filter candidates more rigorously, especially in highly competitive courses.

However, critics question whether the system places unnecessary financial and logistical burdens on students, many of whom must travel long distances to sit for the examinations.

This raises a deeper question:
Should academic merit be tested repeatedly, or should one credible national examination be sufficient?

Rise of Online Screening in Nigerian Universities

In contrast, a significant number of universities have transitioned to online screening methods, relying on candidates’ UTME scores and academic records rather than additional written tests.

https://akahinews.org gathered that institutions adopting this approach include:

LASU
LASUSTECH
FUOTUOKE
UNIZIK
COOU
EKSU
KWASU
AAUA
FUPRE
UNIJOS
FULAFIA
BUK
UNIABUJA
FUOYE
FUTMINNA
ABU ZARIA
UNIUYO
OSUSTECH
AAU
EBSU
CRUTECH
MAUTECH
UNIOSUN
LAUTECH
FUTA
FUTO
ESUT
LASUED
ANIMATED
UNN
FUKASHERE
TASU
YSU
NSUK
UDUSOK
MOUAU
FUGASHUA
FUNAAB
UMYU
KASU
ADSU
UNIMAID
SSU
ATBU
SLU
IBBU
SAZU
AKSU
UNICROSS
UNICROS
AE-FUNAI

Analysts believe that online screening reduces stress for candidates and lowers administrative costs for institutions. It also minimises the risks associated with examination malpractice and overcrowding.

Yet, some stakeholders argue that removing Post UTME entirely may limit universities’ ability to independently verify the competence of applicants.

This leads to another philosophical reflection:
Is convenience gradually replacing thoroughness in Nigeria’s education system?

A System in Transition

The coexistence of both screening methods highlights a system in transition. While some universities prioritise tradition and academic rigour, others are embracing innovation and efficiency.

https://akahinews.org learnt that a few institutions operate hybrid or evolving models, suggesting that the future of admission screening in Nigeria may not be strictly one-sided.

For candidates, this diversity presents both opportunities and challenges. While some benefit from the simplicity of online screening, others must still prepare for additional examinations.

What This Means for Students and Parents

Education experts advise candidates and parents to stay informed and verify admission requirements directly from their chosen institutions, as policies can change from year to year.

More importantly, the conversation goes beyond procedures and touches on broader concerns about fairness, access, and educational quality.

As Nigeria continues to refine its admission system, key questions remain:
Are current screening methods truly identifying the best candidates?
Or are they simply reflecting institutional preferences and constraints?

Beyond Screening Methods

The divide between Post UTME and online screening is more than a procedural difference—it reflects deeper issues within Nigeria’s education system. It speaks to how institutions define merit, manage resources, and respond to the needs of a growing student population.

Ultimately, the goal should not just be about how students are screened, but how well they are prepared for the demands of higher education and national development.

For continuous updates and in-depth education reports, stay connected with https://akahinews.org

By Joseph Iyaji | https://akahinews.org
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News.
https://akahinews.org www.akahinews.org