IJMB Explained: How the Interim Joint Matriculation Board Programme Works

What IJMB is

The Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) runs an A Level equivalent examination that Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria has coordinated since 1974 under Statute 5 of the university's founding law. The IJMB Secretariat sits inside ABU's Institute of Education, and the board approves study centres across the country to teach the syllabus and prepare candidates, according to the official IJMB portal .

Like JUPEB, IJMB gives successful candidates Direct Entry into 200 level, bypassing UTME and first year. The programme runs for about nine months and covers three A Level subjects tied to your intended course.

Entry requirements

You need a minimum of five O Level credits, including English Language, from WAEC, NECO or NABTEB, obtained in not more than two sittings. Your subject combination has to match the department you plan to enter at 200 level, so a prospective Engineering student typically studies Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

Study centres

IJMB centres operate inside or near partner institutions nationwide, each affiliated to and moderated by ABU Zaria. Centres run their own admission screening on top of the O Level requirement, and class sizes and facilities differ, so ask about a centre's pass record before you register.

Which universities accept IJMB

Over 100 Nigerian federal, state and private universities admit IJMB graduates directly into 200 level. A handful of the most selective universities, including the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Covenant University and Lagos State University, do not accept IJMB and run JUPEB centres instead. Check your target university's Direct Entry brochure to confirm it lists IJMB among accepted qualifications before you register for a centre.

Fees

IJMB fees include a registration or form fee plus centre-based tuition, and the total differs by state and centre. Costs are not standardised nationally, so get a current figure directly from your chosen centre or the IJMB portal rather than relying on third party estimates.

How to apply

1. Confirm your target university accepts IJMB for the course you want.

2. Pick an accredited centre, ideally one affiliated with or close to that university.

3. Meet the O Level requirement and sit the centre's entrance screening.

4. Register, pay fees directly to the centre, and attend classes for the session.

5. Sit the IJMB examination, then apply for Direct Entry into 200 level using your result.

IJMB compared to JUPEB

Both boards lead to the same outcome, Direct Entry into 200 level, through different coordinating bodies. Universities generally pick one board and stick to it rather than accepting both, so the deciding factor is which board your target university recognises, not which programme suits you academically.

Who this route suits

IJMB works for students with strong O Level results whose UTME score missed their course cut off, and for students who want a direct route into a specific department without repeating UTME. It costs more than a single UTME attempt and adds roughly a year before you reach 100 level standing, so compare it against retaking UTME if your score sits close to the required mark.

A related option: remedial programmes

ABU Zaria and several other universities also run separate remedial or Basic Studies programmes alongside IJMB. These serve a similar bridging purpose but follow their own syllabus and entry rules, so do not confuse a remedial admission form with an IJMB registration form when you apply.

Typical subject combinations

Your three A Level subjects have to line up with the department you want to enter at 200 level. Science and Medicine-track candidates commonly combine Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics. Engineering candidates lean on Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Arts and Social Science candidates build combinations around subjects like Government, Economics, Literature in English or CRS/IRS. Centres publish which combinations they teach, so confirm yours matches your target course before you register.

When to register

IJMB centres typically open registration shortly after WAEC and NECO results are released, since the O Level requirement has to be met before you register. The nine month programme usually starts soon after registration closes, so confirm exact dates with your chosen centre or the IJMB portal rather than relying on a fixed calendar, since centres set their own intake windows within the academic year.

Common mistakes to avoid

Confirm your target university accepts IJMB, not just JUPEB, before you register at a centre, since the two boards are not interchangeable and a handful of top universities only recognise one. Keep your O Level result slip and IJMB result together for your Direct Entry application, since universities check both documents. Avoid centres that cannot show a track record of past candidates gaining Direct Entry admission, since not every registered centre delivers consistent results.

Documents to keep ready

Before you register, gather your O Level result slip or statement of result, birth certificate or age declaration, passport photographs, and any local government or state of origin documents your chosen centre asks for. Keep photocopies of everything, since you will need the same documents again when you apply for Direct Entry after your IJMB result comes out, and losing an original mid-programme can delay your admission.