The Untold Truth About IJMB & JUPEB: What No One Tells You Before You Apply

For many students in Nigeria, the A’Level programme—particularly IJMB and JUPEB—feels like a golden ticket. A fast track. An escape route from JAMB and its endless cycle of re-sits and heartbreaks. It’s marketed as a way to jump straight into 200 level in university, skipping the UTME altogether. But here’s the thing: what most people tell you is only half the story.

I’ve been through the programme myself. I got admitted into the university using my A’Level result. So, I’m not speaking from theory—I’m speaking from experience. If you’re considering this path, let’s sit down and have the honest conversation you wish someone had with you earlier.

What Exactly Is A’Level?

In Nigeria, A’Level means “Advanced Level.” It’s a post-secondary programme that prepares students for direct entry admission into universities. There are four types you’ll often hear about:

• IJMB

• JUPEB

• Cambridge A’Level

• NABTEB A’Level

But here’s the catch: NABTEB A’Level was disapproved by JAMB a few years ago. Cambridge is solid but expensive and not widely acceptable across Nigerian universities. So, for most students, it boils down to IJMB and JUPEB.

IJMB vs JUPEB: What’s the Difference?

IJMB stands for Interim Joint Matriculation Board. It’s moderated by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. JUPEB stands for Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board, and it’s moderated by the University of Lagos.

Both serve the same purpose—you can gain admission into 200 level in a Nigerian university without taking the UTME. But—and this is important—you still need JAMB. Not the UTME, but you’ll apply through JAMB Direct Entry. So, the claim that “you don’t need JAMB” is misleading. You’re not skipping JAMB entirely. You’re skipping UTME, but Direct Entry is still handled by JAMB.

Where Are These Programmes Offered?

Ideally, these programmes are supposed to be offered by universities. But in reality, IJMB is also available in some colleges of education. JUPEB, on the other hand, is run solely by universities—federal, state, or private.

Geographical matters too. IJMB centres are almost everywhere in Nigeria, but JUPEB is rarely found in the northern part of the country. Personally, I live in the North and I’ve yet to see a JUPEB centre here.

What About Private Tutorial Centres?

Ah yes, the infamous tutorial centres. This is where it gets tricky.

There are many private centres—not universities or accredited institutions—offering IJMB and JUPEB. These centres handle the teaching part. When it’s time for the exam, they take you to an accredited institution to sit for it.

Now, is this a good idea? Should you go through a university directly or through a private centre? We’ll come back to that shortly.

Is A’Level Hard?

Let’s be honest—it’s no walk in the park. The syllabus is broad, and it’s intense. You’re expected to master in one year what typical university students spread across three semesters. But here’s the silver lining: if you’re committed, focused, and have a solid O’Level foundation, you’ll be fine.

A quick story: I recently visited a student and came across a economics past question for 300-level university students. Reading through it, I realized I could confidently answer 60–70% of the questions—just from what I learned during my A’Level programme. That’s how thorough it is.

Choosing Subjects & Grading System

Your subject combination depends on your intended university course. For example:

• Medicine: Physics, Chemistry, Biology

• Engineering: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics

• Economics: Economics, Government, Business Management

It’s just three subjects. Your result is graded similarly to O’Level: A, B, C, D, E, or F.

So Which Is Better: University or Private Centre?

It depends on your location, budget, and the credibility of the centre. Some private centres are great. Others? Not so much. If you decide to go that route, do your homework. Look for reviews. Ask questions. Be sure they’ll register you with an accredited institution for the final exam.

Final Thoughts

The A’Level route is a fantastic alternative if you’re determined to gain admission and tired of battling UTME. But don’t dive in blindly. Understand the structure, confirm your centre’s legitimacy, and most importantly, be prepared to work hard. With the right mindset, the A’Level programme could be the best decision you ever made.