Jos, Plateau State – The University of Jos (UniJos) on Thursday officially matriculated over 8,000 fresh students for the 2025/2026 academic session, including 75 international students from 20 African countries, underscoring the institution’s growing reputation for academic excellence and international collaboration.
Professor Tanko Ishaya, the Vice-Chancellor of UniJos, disclosed this at the matriculation ceremony, noting that the exercise, which typically takes place earlier, was delayed due to some candidates encountering challenges with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
“The newly admitted students are those who successfully completed registration across our academic programmes and met the minimum admission requirements,” Professor Ishaya said.
The Vice-Chancellor revealed that UniJos continues to attract high demand from prospective students, with 27,451 candidates applying through JAMB this year. He described the selection process as “intense and highly competitive” and urged the matriculates to justify the confidence placed in them.
“You are among the privileged few. Your admission should inspire you to be diligent, disciplined, and focused in your studies,” he added.
Professor Ishaya explained that the total matriculated students included candidates admitted through both the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry categories. Registration was nearing completion at the time of the ceremony.
Highlighting the University’s commitment to internationalisation, the Vice-Chancellor said UniJos had aligned with the national vision for global engagement in higher education, championed by the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede.
“This year, we are proud to welcome 75 international students from about 20 African countries into our programmes, reflecting our dedication to global academic standards,” he said.
On student conduct, Professor Ishaya stressed that full registration was mandatory for recognition as a student and warned against delays or engagement with unauthorised registration agents.
He also reminded students that lecture attendance and continuous assessment are crucial, with a minimum of 75 per cent attendance required to sit for examinations. Continuous assessment accounts for 30 to 40 per cent of final scores.
On infrastructure, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted ongoing investments in ICT, including staff training and e-learning platforms to support virtual teaching and digital governance. Students were encouraged to acquire relevant ICT skills to remain globally competitive.
Professor Ishaya also warned against cultism, antisocial behaviour, and participation in unregistered associations, stressing that such acts would attract severe sanctions, including expulsion, in line with the University’s motto: “Discipline and Dedication.”
The ceremony featured goodwill messages from principal officers, stakeholders, and representatives of JAMB, who commended UniJos for conducting a transparent and compliant admissions process.
Diplomatic representatives from The Gambia and Burundi to Nigeria, Hajia Maimuna Simghateh and Engr. Cimpaye Pancrace, respectively, congratulated the international students, urging them to remain disciplined and focused while appreciating the importance of cross-border educational partnerships.
Professor Ishaya formally welcomed the students into the UniJos community, urging them to leverage the opportunities offered to achieve academic and personal growth during their time at the institution.
