The full list of catchment area for universities in Nigeria 2026/2027 is now available, including federal, state, and private universities and their catchment areas.
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JAMB Admission Quota System in Nigeria
Admission into higher institutions in Nigeria through UTME is based on a quota system.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and all tertiary institutions in Nigeria use the following criteria when giving admission:
| Merit | 40% |
| Catchment Area | 35% |
| Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS) | 20% |
This means that 40% of admission is based on Merit, while the remaining percentage is for those from the catchment area and ELDs.
So, even if you have a low JAMB score, you may still have a good chance depending on your catchment area or if you fall under ELDS.
Meaning of Catchment Area for Admission in Nigeria
Catchment areas are specific geographical regions or states from which universities give preference to candidates during admission.
For instance, if you are from a particular state or region that falls under a university’s catchment area, you have a higher chance of gaining admission into that school.

Catchment areas in Nigeria are usually determined based on factors like proximity to the school, state of origin, and local government area.
Also, admission slots are usually reserved for candidates from these catchment areas to promote regional balance and inclusiveness in education.
Federal Universities and their Catchment Areas for 2026/2027 Admission
Here is the list of federal universities in Nigeria and their admission catchment areas:
State Universities and their Catchment Areas for 2026/2027 Admission
Here is the list of state universities in Nigeria and their admission catchment areas:
You may want to check out our expert guides on: