Every year, thousands of JAMB candidates find themselves in a tricky situation — they purchase the UTME e-PIN, complete their UTME registration, and later realize they’re more suited for Direct Entry (DE) because they already have qualifications like ND, NCE, IJMB, JUPEB, HND, BSc, RN, or RM.
If you’re in this category and you're wondering whether you can upgrade your UTME to DE, the good news is YES, you can — under certain conditions.
This article will guide you through everything you need to know, including requirements, step-by-step procedures, frequently asked questions, and what to expect.
🧾 Why Would You Want to Convert Your UTME to DE?
JAMB no longer allows students to register for both UTME and Direct Entry in the same admission year. So, if you already purchased a UTME form and realized later that DE is the better route for you (maybe because you already hold a qualification like ND, NCE, or JUPEB), JAMB has created an official process known as the "UTME to DE Upgrade."
✅ Requirements Before You Can Upgrade from UTME to DE
Before you rush to the JAMB office, here are the four key conditions you must meet:
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You must be a qualified Direct Entry candidate. This includes holders of:
- ND (National Diploma)
- NCE (Nigeria Certificate in Education)
- JUPEB, IJMB
- HND, BSc, RN, RM, etc.
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You must have purchased and registered for UTME for the current admission year.
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You must write the UTME exam. Whether your score is high or low doesn't matter. JAMB currently insists that you must sit for UTME before upgrading.
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You must be willing to forgo UTME admission — once upgraded, you’ll only be considered for Direct Entry admission, not UTME.
🔁 Step-by-Step Guide: How to Upgrade UTME to Direct Entry (DE)
Here’s how to officially convert your UTME to DE:
Step 1: Prepare the Required Documents
You’ll need to carry along the following:
- Your UTME registration slip or result printout
- The qualification you're using for DE (e.g., ND, NCE, HND, IJMB, JUPEB, BSc certificate or result)
- A valid means of identification (just in case)
Step 2: Visit a JAMB Office
Head over to the nearest JAMB office (NOT CBT center or cyber café).
Tell them clearly that you want to upgrade your UTME to Direct Entry. They will attend to you — and yes, it's totally free.
You may be asked to explain why you want the upgrade, so be honest and direct.
Step 3: Follow Their Instructions
The JAMB officials will process your request, update your profile, and switch your application status from UTME to DE.
Once completed, you’ll now be considered a Direct Entry candidate, and your admission will be processed under DE.
🤔 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About UTME to DE Upgrade
1. Can I upgrade to DE before writing UTME?
No. In the past, JAMB allowed candidates to upgrade even without sitting for UTME. But currently, you must write the UTME exam first, even if you’re not interested in the score.
2. Can I upgrade at a cyber café or CBT centre?
No. This upgrade can only be done at JAMB offices. Cyber cafés or CBT centers are not authorized to handle this process.
3. Do I need to buy a separate DE form to upgrade?
No. The UTME and DE forms usually close at the same time. If you already registered for UTME, you don’t need to purchase a new DE form. Just go to JAMB and request the upgrade.
4. What if I registered for UTME but didn’t write the exam? Can I still upgrade?
No. As of the current JAMB policy, you must write the UTME exam before you can request a DE upgrade. Even if your score is low, it doesn’t affect your DE application.
5. Will I still be considered for UTME admission after upgrading?
No. Once you upgrade from UTME to DE, your application status changes. You will only be considered for DE admission, not UTME.
6. How long does it take for the upgrade to reflect?
It’s usually instant or may take a few working days, depending on JAMB’s internal processes. You'll receive confirmation from the office once completed.
7. Is there a deadline for UTME to DE conversion?
Yes. The upgrade window usually opens after the UTME exam has been conducted and closes shortly after. So, it's important to act fast once the window is declared open by JAMB.
🔍 Final Tips Before You Upgrade
- Ensure you truly qualify for Direct Entry admission before requesting the upgrade.
- If your UTME score is good enough, you may decide to stick with UTME instead.
- Once you upgrade, you can’t reverse it, so be sure of your decision.
- Always confirm from JAMB officials whether the upgrade window is open before going.
The UTME to DE upgrade is a valuable opportunity provided by JAMB for candidates who registered for UTME but later wish to pursue Direct Entry admission due to their existing qualifications. The process is official, free, and straightforward — but must be done at a JAMB office only.
Whether you’re using JUPEB, ND, HND, IJMB, NCE, BSc, or other accepted qualifications, this guide should help you transition smoothly.
Still confused? Drop your question in the comment section below, and don’t forget to share this post with other candidates who might need it!
1 Comments
Wow. This is really helpful. Thanks for this update
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