In a heartbreaking turn of events, Okonkwo Chukwudozie Joshua, a determined young student from Anambra State, has taken to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his disappointment after being denied admission to Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) despite scoring 304 in the 2024 JAMB UTME.
Joshua, who had his hopes set on studying Medicine and Surgery, shared his struggles and setbacks in gaining admission despite his impressive academic performance.
Joshua’s Journey: A Story of Determination and Setbacks
Joshua’s story is one of persistence and resilience. According to his viral post on X, he first sat for the JAMB UTME in 2022, where he scored 284 but was denied admission into UNIZIK.
In 2023, he missed the registration window for the UTME because he was still holding on to the hope of gaining admission from his 2022 score. Unfortunately, no admission came.
Not one to give up easily, Joshua registered for the 2024 JAMB exam, where he scored an impressive 304. However, despite this high score and a post-UTME aggregate score of 305.99, Joshua was still not offered admission into his desired course, Medicine and Surgery.
Instead, UNIZIK offered him admission into Radiography, a course he did not apply for and ultimately declined.
In his emotional post, Joshua wrote:
- “First JAMB, 2022 – Was denied admission. 😔
- Missed 2023 registration while waiting for admission. 😭
- Spent another 1 year home reading. 😭
- 2024 – Had 304. No admission again. 😭
- My dream to become a doctor is in the mud. 😔
- God knows I fought a good fight; I will have to move on without school.”
His emotional outburst struck a chord with many users on X, gaining widespread sympathy and support.
Public Reactions to Joshua’s Situation
Joshua’s post sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many people offering him words of encouragement and advice on what steps he could take next.
Advice from Social Media Users
- @ObuMalachy: “Bruhhh, you need to find any state or private university and apply. Time waits for nobody. You can re-sit while you’re admitted in school and possibly gain admission to your dream school and course.”
- @tcr_dc: “Hey, I’m a medical student currently in 200 level. I’ll advise you to try again. Getting into medical school is the easiest part; it doesn’t get easier after that.”
- @Joel_Noblez: “Change institution. Uniuyo is still giving admission.”
- @Forexpatron: “Don’t feel bad bro; you did your best. At this point, school is your priority. Just find a skill and have an edge while in school or before school.”
Many advised him to consider other institutions that might still have open slots for his preferred course or to accept the Radiography offer while planning for future adjustments.
The Bigger Issue: How University Admissions Work in Nigeria
Joshua’s story highlights the challenges many Nigerian students face when trying to gain admission into competitive courses like Medicine and Surgery.
Even with high scores, students often face hurdles due to:
- Limited Slots: Medicine and Surgery are among the most competitive courses, with limited admission slots.
- Post-UTME Screening: Universities often combine JAMB scores, post-UTME performance, and other factors to determine final admission.
- State Quotas: Some universities have quotas for indigenes and non-indigenes, affecting admission chances.
Despite scoring high in JAMB and post-UTME, students may still lose out if they do not meet other internal admission criteria set by the university.
What Can Students in Joshua’s Position Do?
If you or someone you know finds themselves in a similar situation as Joshua, here are some practical steps to consider:
- Consider Alternative Institutions: Apply to less competitive universities or polytechnics that offer the same course.
- Accept Another Course and Apply for Transfer Later: Sometimes, accepting an alternative course and applying for an internal transfer after the first year can work.
- Explore Private Universities: While often more expensive, private institutions may have more available slots.
- Broaden Your Horizons: Explore career paths related to your desired course. For example, Radiography is still part of the medical field and offers opportunities.
- Develop Skills While Waiting: Use your waiting period to acquire valuable skills or certifications.
A Common Struggle Among High-Scoring Candidates
Joshua’s story is not unique. Every year, thousands of high-scoring students fail to secure admission into their preferred courses due to systemic challenges.
In a related report, another candidate scored over 300 in JAMB for three consecutive years but still could not secure admission into his chosen university.
This recurring issue raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the admission process and calls for a review of existing policies to ensure deserving students are not left behind.
Final Thoughts
Joshua’s experience is a stark reminder of the challenges within Nigeria’s higher education admission system. While he may feel defeated now, his determination and persistence are qualities that will undoubtedly lead him to success in the future.
For other students preparing for JAMB 2025, Joshua’s story serves as both a lesson and motivation. Ensure you prepare well, consider multiple options, and stay hopeful no matter the outcome.
We hope Joshua finds a path that aligns with his dreams, whether in Medicine or another fulfilling career. Education remains a journey, and sometimes, the road is not straight, but the destination is worth it.
Stay updated with the latest JAMB news and admission guidelines to avoid unnecessary setbacks.
Try and Enroll in JUPEB program.
It offers a great chance of gaining admission.
I first wrote jamb in 2022, scored 286 but couldn’t get admission to study medicine in UNIZIK.
But right now I have gotten admission to study medicine in UNIZIK as a 200 level student.
Glory be to God.
You can check it out.
His problem is wrong choice of institution considering his state of origin where he has much competitors .The truth is this UNIZIK is federal university and every state in Nigeria is giving its quota while offering admission to students in federal institutions. Joshua has other people from Anambra (his state of origin) who scored more than him that was given the admission ahead of him. that is the main reason. Many people from Anambra seeking admission would likely choose unizik. And when giving admission. For instance, if merit is 2 persons in each course. The best 2 persons will be taken from all the states in Nigeria that choose unizik in that particular course. That is why u will see somebody with 280 jamb score getting admission while someone with 300 has been admitted. The person who scored 300 might have others from his state looking for the same course that scored more than him. Let Joshua leave unizik and go to another federal university where Anambra people don’t use to choose much so that he will have more chances of getting admission. There are people from Anambra that scored more than Joshua every year that used to take Anambra quota for medical in unizik. They can’t give all of you from the same state in the same course admission because u have good score but by quota. If It is one person that they want to choose in merit list it will go round the federation. U can go to Chukwuemeka odumegwu university igbariam that is state owned if your parent can afford to pay ur fees b/c they are doing local govt merit list there. U have 95% change there. No state merit list there but local govt merit list. All the local govts in Anambra will be given quota from there you get your admission. goodluck.
My daughter scored 320 in JAMB and 67 in her post UTME with the aggregate of 74%, uniben denied her admission to medicine and surgery instead she was offered physiology, what an insult.
He was offered a lower course radiography which he didn’t apply for. He was to make researches on the course he was offered ; radiography is also a medical related course .If I were him I would accept and after my 200lv I’ll opt for a switch of course or better still enroll for jupeb program.
Nigeria school system is frustrating at times he was transferred to a good course while someone who scored even higher than him was transferred to applied biochemistry.