Are You Searching for Nigerian Universities That Accept Direct Entry in 2025? You're not alone. Every year, thousands of Nigerian students who hold ND, NCE, HND, or JUPEB certificates look for universities that accept Direct Entry admission without starting from 100 level.
The good news? Most Nigerian universities federal, state, and private accept Direct Entry candidates, especially into 200 level, depending on the course and your qualification.
In this 2025 guide, we’ll break down:
What Direct Entry admission means
List of universities that accept Direct Entry in Nigeria
Requirements for Direct Entry admission in 2025
Top courses and departments that admit Direct Entry
Pro tips for fast admission and fewer rejections
Answers to FAQs and more
What Is Direct Entry Admission in Nigeria?
Direct Entry (DE) is a mode of admission offered by Nigerian universities that allows candidates with advanced qualifications to gain admission directly into 200 or 300 level, skipping the first year.
Who is Eligible for Direct Entry?
You are eligible to apply for Direct Entry in 2025 if you hold any of the following:
OND or ND (Ordinary National Diploma)
HND (Higher National Diploma)
NCE (Nigerian Certificate in Education)
IJMB or JUPEB A-level certificates
University diploma or degree
Cambridge A-Level or equivalent international diploma
Instead of writing JAMB UTME, DE candidates apply through JAMB Direct Entry Portal, submit credentials, and are admitted based on merit.
Federal Universities That Accept Direct Entry in Nigeria (2025 List)
Here is a list of top federal universities that accept Direct Entry candidates into various departments:
1. University of Lagos (UNILAG)
Admits ND, NCE, JUPEB, and HND holders into 200 level.
CGPA requirement: Minimum of 3.0 for ND
Accepts JUPEB and Cambridge A-level
Does not accept second class lower for some courses
2. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU Zaria)
Widely known for accepting Direct Entry into multiple faculties.
Accepts ND, HND, and NCE
Requires transcript submission
Very DE-friendly for education, agriculture, and sciences
3. University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)
UNN admits Direct Entry candidates especially for science, education, and arts.
JUPEB and IJMB accepted
NCE and ND holders welcomed into 200 level
Requires original O’Level result + A-level result
4. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
UNILORIN is one of the most popular schools for Direct Entry.
CGPA of at least 2.5 required for ND
Accepts IJMB, JUPEB, and HND
Screening test may be conducted
5. University of Benin (UNIBEN)
UNIBEN allows DE into engineering, education, and social sciences.
Accepts NCE, ND, HND, IJMB, JUPEB
Course must match prior qualification
Transcript must be submitted directly to the registrar
6. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
OAU offers DE into competitive programs like Law and Medicine through JUPEB and A-level.
Does not admit ND into Law or Medicine
Prefers JUPEB and Cambridge A-levels
O’Level must have 5 credits at one sitting
7. University of Abuja (UNIABUJA)
Accepts DE for both full-time and part-time programs.
Open to ND and HND holders
Transcript and letter of completion required
Requires JAMB DE registration
8. Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA)
Accepts Direct Entry especially for engineering and science-based courses.
ND and HND must be in related field
Minimum upper credit required
DE candidates may sit for internal screening
9. University of Jos (UNIJOS)
Allows JUPEB, IJMB, NCE, and ND holders into 200 level.
CGPA of at least 3.0 preferred
Accepts DE into Medicine, Engineering, and Education
All DE applicants must upload their credentials online
10. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
FUNAAB admits DE into Agriculture, Science, and Engineering fields.
Requires transcript and statement of result
Accepts both OND and HND
JUPEB program also available internally
State Universities That Accept Direct Entry in 2025
Below are some state universities that accept Direct Entry in Nigeria:
Lagos State University (LASU)
Delta State University (DELSU)
Ekiti State University (EKSU)
Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)
Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT)
Benue State University (BSU)
Kano State University of Science and Technology (KUST)
Taraba State University (TSU)
Imo State University (IMSU)
Abia State University (ABSU)
Each state university sets its own CGPA and document requirements, but most admit qualified DE candidates into 200 level.
Private Universities That Accept Direct Entry in Nigeria 2025
Private institutions are also open to Direct Entry applications, especially for JUPEB and ND holders.
Top Private Universities That Accept Direct Entry:
Covenant University
Babcock University
Bowen University
Ajayi Crowther University
Redeemer’s University
Joseph Ayo Babalola University
Lead City University
Igbinedion University
Afe Babalola University (ABUAD)
Caleb University
Most private universities have flexible admission policies and offer scholarship options to Direct Entry candidates.
General Requirements for Direct Entry Admission in Nigeria 2025
To qualify for Direct Entry into any Nigerian university, you must:
Register through JAMB Direct Entry Portal
Have at least 5 credits in WAEC/NECO/NABTEB
Hold a valid A-level certificate (ND, HND, JUPEB, NCE, etc.)
Present original transcript and academic statement
Meet departmental CGPA or merit cutoff
Upload documents to JAMB CAPS for admission confirmation
List of Top Courses That Accept Direct Entry in Nigeria
While most courses accept DE, here are the top ones that commonly offer 200-level entry:
Education Courses (NCE holders)
Engineering (ND and HND)
Agriculture
Business Administration
Accounting and Banking
Sociology and Political Science
Computer Science (ND, JUPEB)
Law (JUPEB, A-level only in most cases)
Medicine (extremely competitive – JUPEB only)
Pro Tips to Get Direct Entry Admission Faster in 2025
Use JUPEB or IJMB if you can – Most top universities favor these for advanced admissions.
Choose less competitive courses – Options like Agriculture, Education, or Languages often admit more easily.
Make sure your O’Level results are clean – At least 5 credits including English and Maths.
Have your transcript ready early – This is often what delays admission for many ND/HND holders.
Apply to multiple schools – Don’t rely on just one choice. Consider federal, state, and private options.
Summary Table – Nigerian Universities That Accept Direct Entry in 2025
| Type of University | Name of University | Accepts DE? | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | UNILAG, ABU, UNILORIN, OAU, UNN | Yes | JUPEB, ND, NCE, HND, Transcript |
| State | LASU, EKSU, DELSU, IMSU, ABSU | Yes | ND, NCE, JUPEB, minimum 2.5 CGPA |
| Private | Covenant, Babcock, Bowen, Lead City, ABUAD | Yes | JUPEB, ND, A-Level certificates, clean O’Level |
Frequently Asked Questions – Direct Entry Admission in Nigeria 2025
Q: Can I gain admission into 200 level with ND in Nigeria?
A: Yes. With a good ND certificate and transcript, most Nigerian universities will admit you into 200 level.
Q: Which university is best for Direct Entry in Nigeria?
A: UNILORIN, ABU, LASU, and UNN are popular and consistent in accepting DE candidates.
Q: Is JAMB required for Direct Entry?
A: Yes. You must register on the JAMB Direct Entry portal and upload your credentials.
Q: Can HND holders use Direct Entry?
A: Yes. HND holders are eligible for DE, mostly into 300 level depending on the course.
Q: Do universities accept NABTEB for Direct Entry?
A: NABTEB is accepted for O’Level, but your A-Level must be from ND, JUPEB, or similar programs.
Final Thoughts – Nigerian Universities That Accept Direct Entry in 2025
The list of Nigerian universities that accept Direct Entry in 2025 shows that opportunities are available across all school types — federal, state, and private. If you hold a valid A-Level qualification like ND, HND, NCE, JUPEB, or IJMB, you can skip 100 level and continue your degree faster.
The key is to prepare early, pick the right course, and upload your documents correctly on the JAMB portal. Whether you're switching from a polytechnic or coming in from JUPEB, there's a school for you.