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University News Published: February 18, 2026 • By Emmanuel Iweh

Post-UTME Reforms: Lessons from the UNILAG and OAU Legal Standoff

Post-UTME Reforms: Lessons from the UNILAG and OAU Legal Standoff

"Following 2025 court orders, top universities implement transparent digital screening protocols to restore applicant confidence in 2026."

The shadow of the 2025 legal battle involving UNILAG, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and JAMB continues to influence the 2026 admission landscape. Following an interim court order that halted admissions in late 2025 due to disputes over Post-UTME transparency and scoring irregularities, universities have been forced to implement more robust digital auditing systems for 2026. This investigative report finds that the primary cause of the litigation was a perceived lack of transparency in the marking schemes used by universities during their independent screening exercises. In response, for the February 2026 period, many universities are announcing Open Screening Protocols, where candidates will receive instant feedback on their Post-UTME scores. This shift significantly affects admission chances by reducing the gray area often associated with university-level screenings. For 2026 candidates, this means that the UTME score and the Post-UTME score will be weighted more transparently than ever before. Analysis suggests that this legal pressure has actually benefited high-performing candidates, as the standardized auditing makes it harder for institutions to bypass merit-based lists. However, the litigation also caused a backlog in some institutions, leading to a double-batch scenario in 2026 where the 2025 and 2026 cohorts may be competing for similar resources. To navigate this, candidates are advised to monitor the JAMB Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) daily. The Transfer Approval feature on CAPS, which allows universities to offer students alternative courses if they miss the cutoff for their first choice, will be more active this year. Candidates who are flexible with their course choices stand a much higher chance of securing admission in this post-litigation era. The focus for February is on preparation and ensuring that all documentary evidence, particularly O-level results, is verified and consistent across all platforms.

Official Source Reference: https://punchng.com/education/unilag-oau-admission-transparency-reform

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