The University of Lagos (UNILAG) runs its Direct Entry (DE) admission through an online application on its own portal. The form is completed on the portal after the application fee is paid, and the university treats the online registration as the screening stage for DE candidates. This article explains the current deadline, who is eligible, how to complete the form step by step, and what to prepare, so that a candidate can finish the process correctly before the window closes.
Current Deadline for the UNILAG Direct Entry Form
UNILAG opened 2026/2027 Direct Entry registration on 9 September 2026, with an original closing date of 22 September. The university then extended the deadline by one week to 29 September, and has since extended it again. The current deadline for submitting the Direct Entry application on the portal is Tuesday, 6 October 2026.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | Wednesday, 9 September 2026 |
| Original deadline | Tuesday, 22 September 2026 |
| First extension | Tuesday, 29 September 2026 |
| Current deadline | Tuesday, 6 October 2026 |
| Application fee | ₦3,500 |
The first extension notice stated that no further extension would be granted, yet a second extension followed. Candidates should not rely on another extension and should complete the form well before 6 October.
What the Direct Entry Screening Form Is
A Direct Entry candidate applies for entry into 200 level, or into a later level where the programme allows, using an OND, HND, NCE, A’level, IJMB, JUPEB or degree qualification. At UNILAG, a candidate begins by registering through JAMB for Direct Entry and naming UNILAG as the first-choice institution. The university then requires a separate online registration on its own portal, which collects personal data, academic records and uploaded results.
The university states that a candidate who fails to complete this online registration is not considered for admission in the 2026/2027 session. The JAMB registration alone is not enough.
Eligibility for UNILAG Direct Entry 2026/2027
A candidate qualifies to register when the following conditions are met:
- UNILAG is the candidate’s first choice in the 2026/2027 JAMB Direct Entry application.
- The candidate holds five credit passes in relevant O’level subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained at one sitting.
- The candidate is at least sixteen years old by 30 September 2026. Candidates who do not meet the age requirement are told not to apply.
- The candidate’s name, date of birth, state of origin and local government area are consistent across all documents and results.
The one-sitting rule is stricter than the two-sitting allowance used by many universities. A candidate whose five credits come from two examinations, such as WAEC and NECO combined, does not satisfy this requirement as stated in the notice.
The consistency rule matters because screening compares details across documents. A candidate who finds a mismatch, such as a different spelling of a surname or a different date of birth on two certificates, should correct it through the issuing body before submitting.
Qualifications Accepted for Direct Entry
The university’s notice states the O’level rule and the JAMB first-choice rule. The specific A’level or diploma requirement depends on the programme chosen, and JAMB’s Direct Entry guidelines set the subject combinations and grade levels for each course. In general, the entry qualifications in this category include:
| Qualification | Typical use |
|---|---|
| IJMB or JUPEB | A’level route into science, social science, arts and law |
| OND | Diploma route, with grade requirements by programme |
| HND | Higher diploma route, often for related degree programmes |
| NCE | Education-related and some arts and social science programmes |
| First degree | Candidates seeking a second degree in a different field |
Candidates should confirm that their qualification and grade match the programme before paying, since payment does not guarantee admission.
Application Fee and Payment
The Direct Entry application fee is ₦3,500. The fee is paid after the candidate logs in and generates a payment advice slip. Payment is made either at a commercial bank or through the online option on the portal, and the candidate returns to the portal after payment is confirmed to complete the form.
Figures on third-party pages vary, and some list a different amount for other categories of candidates. The only reliable figure is the one on the payment advice slip generated inside the portal, so candidates should check the amount shown there before paying and pay only through the official channels.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill the UNILAG Direct Entry Form
The application follows this order:
- Open the UNILAG application portal at applications.unilag.edu.ng.
- Select the undergraduate application option and log in with the JAMB Direct Entry registration number.
- Generate the payment advice slip and print it.
- Pay the ₦3,500 application fee at a commercial bank or through the online payment option.
- Return to the portal after payment is confirmed.
- Complete the application form, entering personal details exactly as they appear on official documents.
- Upload the relevant academic results, including the O’level results and the entry qualification result.
- Review every entry, submit once, and print the confirmation page.
The form accepts a single submission, so candidates should check each field before clicking submit. Errors found after submission may require contact with the university’s admissions office through official channels.
Documents and Information to Prepare
Candidates save time by gathering these items before logging in:
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| JAMB Direct Entry registration number | Starts and identifies the application |
| O’level result (five credits, one sitting) | Eligibility check and upload |
| A’level, diploma, NCE or degree result | Entry qualification upload |
| Birth certificate or declaration of age | Age and identity consistency |
| State of origin and local government details | Personal data section |
| Active email address and phone number | Communication from the university |
| Payment advice slip and receipt | Evidence of fee payment |
Candidates who plan to upload scanned documents should use clear, complete scans with the full page visible, since unclear uploads can delay processing.
O’Level Upload on JAMB CAPS
UNILAG’s earlier notice for UTME candidates requires O’level results to be uploaded to both the JAMB CAPS profile and the university’s own portal. Direct Entry candidates should confirm that their results appear on the JAMB profile as well, since admission decisions are processed through JAMB’s admission system. A candidate whose results are missing from JAMB’s record can arrange the upload at a JAMB-accredited CBT centre. The DE notice does not state a separate upload date, so the safest approach is to complete the upload before the portal deadline.
Is There a Written Test for Direct Entry?
The official Direct Entry notices describe an online registration and application process. They do not announce a separate aptitude test or physical screening date for Direct Entry candidates, unlike the UTME exercise, which included a mock examination and an online aptitude test in June and July. If the university schedules further screening for DE candidates, the information will appear on the admissions pages and the candidate’s portal account, so candidates should check both after submitting.
What Happens After the Form Is Submitted
Once the application deadline passes, the university processes the submitted applications, and admission offers appear through the JAMB admission process. Candidates monitor their JAMB profile for their status and accept an offer through the same channel when one appears. Admitted students then complete the university’s registration and clearance, which involves uploading biodata and presenting original documents, usually including the birth certificate or declaration of age, state of origin evidence, the JAMB admission letter and the entry qualification. The university publishes the exact procedure and dates for admitted candidates separately.
Common Mistakes That Cost Candidates a Place
- Choosing UNILAG as a second choice or changing institution after the JAMB window closes.
- Combining O’level results from two sittings.
- Missing the 6 October 2026 deadline.
- Entering details that differ from the certificates.
- Paying through unofficial channels instead of the generated advice slip.
- Registering with JAMB but skipping the UNILAG portal registration.
- Not meeting the age requirement of sixteen by 30 September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for the UNILAG Direct Entry form?
The deadline is Tuesday, 6 October 2026, after two extensions.
How much is the UNILAG Direct Entry application fee?
The fee is ₦3,500, paid through a bank or the online option on the portal.
Can a candidate with O’level results from two sittings apply?
The university’s notice requires five credits at one sitting, including English Language and Mathematics.
Does a candidate need to choose UNILAG on JAMB first?
Yes. Only candidates who made UNILAG their first choice in the 2026/2027 JAMB Direct Entry application are eligible to register.
What happens if a candidate does not complete the portal registration?
The candidate is not considered for admission in the 2026/2027 session.
Summary
The UNILAG Direct Entry screening form for 2026/2027 is an online application on the university’s portal, open until 6 October 2026, with a ₦3,500 fee. A candidate needs UNILAG as first choice on JAMB, five O’level credits at one sitting including English Language and Mathematics, an age of at least sixteen by 30 September 2026, and consistent personal details across all documents. Candidates should pay through the generated slip, upload the correct results, submit once, and follow the university’s official notices after submission.