For the 2026 admission exercise, JAMB activated the change of institution and course process on May 15, 2026, and directed candidates to use approved JAMB CBT centres for the change.
How Many Times Can I Do Change of Institution in JAMB 2026?
How Many Times Can I Change My Institution?
You can change your institution more than once. JAMB previously limited some candidates to two changes, but the Board later clarified that candidates can change their institution as many times as possible, as long as the institution they want to change to is still accepting candidates for the admission process.
This means a candidate who changes from School A to School B can later change from School B to School C if there is a valid reason to do so and the required correction service is available.
Current 2026 admission guides also report that institution/course corrections can be made more than once, with a separate payment required for each new correction.
Can a Person Do Change of Institution Twice?
Yes. You can do a JAMB change of institution twice. In fact, JAMB’s publicly stated position is that candidates can make further changes where the service is available and the target institution is still accepting changes.
So, doing a first change does not automatically prevent you from making another one later.
Can I Do Change of Institution Three Times?
Yes, multiple changes are possible. There is no reliable current JAMB source establishing a universal three-change maximum for the 2026 UTME cycle. Some third-party websites claim there is a three-change limit, but that claim conflicts with JAMB’s earlier public clarification that candidates can change institutions as many times as possible.
Because each correction requires another payment and because your new institution may stop accepting changes, it is better to make your choice carefully instead of repeatedly switching schools.
How Much Does JAMB Change of Institution Cost in 2026?
The current JAMB payment-and-services page lists ₦2,500 for the correction of Institution/Course. The page also lists a CBT service charge of ₦100 for correction-of-data services. A centre may have its own additional charges, so confirm the amount before completing the transaction.
Because a fresh correction normally requires a fresh payment, changing your institution again can mean paying the applicable fee again.
Is JAMB Change of Institution Still Open for 2026?
JAMB activated the 2026 change-of-institution and change-of-course process in May 2026. JAMB has not published a single nationwide closing date that can safely be treated as the final deadline for every institution.
More importantly, the deadline of the school you want to enter can matter more than a general JAMB deadline. For example, the Air Force Institute of Technology instructed candidates who had not initially selected AFIT to complete the JAMB change of institution/course process before its August 23, 2026 Post-UTME deadline. Other institutions have also continued accepting candidates who change their institution to them during the 2026 admission exercise.
Therefore, do not wait until the end of the admission season. Check the current admission or Post-UTME deadline of the institution you want before making the change.
How Long Does It Take JAMB to Effect Change of Institution?
The change may appear on your JAMB record relatively quickly after the correction is successfully processed, but the new institution’s portal may take longer to update.
Some institutions advise candidates to allow around 24 to 72 hours for changes to become visible on their admission portals. In some cases, synchronization between JAMB and an institution can take several days.
Do not immediately pay for another change simply because the new school has not updated its portal. First confirm that the change was successfully submitted on JAMB and allow time for the institution to synchronize its records.
Can I Change My Institution After Writing JAMB?
Yes. The 2026 change-of-institution process was specifically activated after the UTME results were released, allowing candidates to modify their institution or programme choices for admission purposes.
This is useful when your UTME score, admission requirements, course requirements or personal preference makes another institution a better option.
Can I Change Institution Without Changing My Course?
Yes. You can change your institution without necessarily changing your course. You should confirm that the course you want to study is offered by the new institution and that you meet its admission requirements.
What Should I Check Before Changing Institution?
Before paying for another change, check the following:
- UTME score: Make sure your score meets the new institution’s requirements.
- Course requirements: Confirm that your O’Level subjects and UTME subject combination are suitable for the course.
- Post-UTME status: Confirm that the institution is still accepting applications.
- Deadline: Check the school’s actual Post-UTME or admission deadline.
- Institutional availability: Make sure the institution and course are available for selection through the JAMB correction process.
JAMB’s admission system is currently processing the 2026/2027 admission cycle, so candidates should make decisions based on the current admission status of their target institution rather than relying on old deadlines.
How to Do Change of Institution in JAMB
- Log in to your JAMB e-Facility account.
- Go to the registration or correction-of-data section available for your examination year.
- Select the option for Change of Institution/Course.
- Make the required payment.
- Provide and confirm your new institution and course choices.
- Complete the required verification at a JAMB-approved CBT centre or JAMB office where instructed.
- Collect or print your correction slip and keep it for your records.
For 2026 candidates, JAMB specifically advised applicants to visit approved CBT centres to carry out institution or programme changes.
Does Change of Institution Guarantee Admission?
No. Changing your institution only updates your choice with JAMB. It does not guarantee admission into the new school.
You must still meet the institution’s admission requirements, register for its screening exercise where applicable, and compete for available admission spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a person do change of institution twice?
Yes. JAMB allows candidates to make more than one institution change, subject to the available correction service, payment requirements and the admission status of the target institution.
Can I do change of institution three times?
Yes, multiple changes are possible. JAMB has publicly stated that candidates can change institution as many times as possible while the target school’s admission portal remains open. A universal three-change limit is not supported by the JAMB evidence reviewed for this article.
How much will I pay to change my institution?
The official JAMB payment page currently lists ₦2,500 for correction of Institution/Course, with a listed CBT service charge of ₦100. A CBT centre may charge additional fees.
Is change of institution still on for 2026?
The 2026 process was activated by JAMB in May, and institutions were still directing eligible candidates to complete changes during August 2026. There is no single nationwide closing date confirmed by JAMB in the sources reviewed, so candidates should check their target school’s current admission deadline.
How long does it take JAMB to effect change of institution?
The change can appear quickly on the JAMB side, while the target institution may need additional time to synchronize its database. Allow at least 24 to 72 hours before assuming there is a problem, unless the school gives different instructions.
Can I change institution on my phone?
You can access your JAMB e-Facility account online, but for the 2026 process JAMB advised candidates to visit an approved CBT centre to effect institution or programme changes.
Conclusion
For JAMB candidates asking, “How many times can I do change of institution?”, the answer is that you are not generally restricted to only two changes. JAMB has stated that candidates can change their institution as many times as possible, provided the target institution is still open for the admission process and the required correction service and payment are available.
For the 2026 admission exercise, the most important thing is to make the change early enough for your new institution to receive the updated JAMB record before its Post-UTME or admission deadline. Always confirm the institution’s current requirements before paying for another change.
Official JAMB resources: JAMB Payment & Services | JAMB e-Facility
