It confuses many parents and candidates: a student with an aggregate of 70 is admitted into a course, while another with 72 is not. The explanation usually lies in Nigeria’s admission quota system, which shares places in federal universities among three criteria.
The three main admission criteria
| Criterion | Typical share | Who benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Merit | About 45% | Highest aggregate scores, regardless of state of origin |
| Catchment area | About 35% | Candidates from the states around the university |
| Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS) | About 20% | Candidates from states officially classified as educationally less developed |
These are the commonly cited federal guidelines. Individual universities apply them with some differences, and state universities often give priority to indigenes of the owning state.
Merit list
The merit list is filled first, strictly by aggregate. If you are on the merit list, your score alone earned you the place. For example, UNILAG‘s 2026/2027 merit cut-off for Medicine was 83.425.
Catchment list
Each federal university has catchment states. For example, UNILAG’s 2026/2027 cut-off table showed catchment columns for Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo. Candidates from these states compete among themselves for the catchment share, usually at a lower cut-off than merit.
ELDS list
Candidates from states classified as educationally less developed compete for a reserved share, also with a lower cut-off. The policy aims to improve access for regions with historically lower enrolment.
Supplementary lists
After the first batch, universities often release supplementary lists to fill spaces not taken up. This is why you should keep checking CAPS even if your name isn’t on the first list.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know my catchment status?
It depends on your state of origin as recorded in your JAMB profile, not where you live.
Can I change my state of origin on JAMB?
Data corrections are possible through JAMB, but you must provide valid evidence. False declarations can lead to cancellation of admission.