Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM)Courses, Portals & Admission Guide
Quick Facts: JOSTUM Admission 2026
Does JOSTUM write Post-UTME? Yes. The general JAMB cut-off mark is 150. Estimated school fees range from ₦55k to ₦85k, and the acceptance fee is ₦20,000. Verify all details on the official JOSTUM portal.
NELFUND Loan
JAMB Cut-Off
150+
The baseline JAMB cut-off mark for JOSTUM is officially 150. However, highly competitive and specialized programs like Veterinary Medicine, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science practically demand scores of 180 and above for a strong chance of admission.
Post-UTME Form
₦2,000
Est. Tuition
₦55k - ₦85k
As a specialized Federal University, JOSTUM does not charge traditional tuition. However, students pay consolidated service and developmental charges. Freshers typically pay between ₦65,000 and ₦85,000 depending on the college/faculty, with Engineering, Science, and Veterinary Medicine attracting higher laboratory and practical fees. Returning students pay slightly less.
Acceptance Fee
₦20,000
2nd Choice
Not Accepted
2026 JAMB Rescue Guide
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The JOSTUM 2026 Admission Blueprint
A high JAMB score won't save you if your O'Level combination is wrong. Discover the official JOSTUM aggregate formula, true departmental cut-offs, and exactly how the federal merit and catchment quotas are calculated.
Campuses & Locations
Main Campus
North Core and South Core, PMB 2373, Makurdi
About JOSTUM & Campus Life
Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM)—formerly known as the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM)—is a premier specialized federal university located in Benue State, the 'Food Basket of the Nation.' Established in 1988, JOSTUM is highly regarded for its deep commitment to transforming Nigerian agriculture, empowering small-scale farmers, and pioneering research in veterinary medicine, engineering, and food technology.
The JOSTUM campus, divided into the expansive North Core and South Core, is a massive hub of research and practical learning. Students benefit from sprawling agricultural research farms, specialized seed and agrochemical technology centers, and a highly active student union. Student administration, including fee payments and course registrations, is managed digitally via the UAM portal.
💡 Pro Tip: To gain admission into JOSTUM, candidates must make it their first choice and score a minimum of 150 in the UTME. A key requirement is ensuring you have the exact O'Level and JAMB subject combinations for your chosen faculty, which are strictly verified during the online Post-UTME screening. For example, Management Science applicants MUST have Economics and Maths in their JAMB combination. When paying your ₦2,000 screening fee, strictly generate your RRR code from the school's portal to avoid transaction issues.
Insider Insights
Verified by AdmitNode Experts
Admission Hack
The biggest technical trap for JOSTUM applicants is the Post-UTME payment process. You MUST generate your ₦2,000 Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) directly inside the 'myportal.uam.edu.ng' dashboard. If you go straight to the Remita homepage to generate it, your payment will not sync with your student profile, and you will be locked out of the screening. Additionally, beware of the university's ruthless JAMB subject combination checks: if you applied for Management Sciences but did not write Mathematics and Economics in JAMB, the system will automatically disqualify you, regardless of a high score. Finally, do not let the recent name change (JOSTUM) confuse your application process; the JAMB portal, your admission letter, and older university staff will still heavily refer to the institution by its legacy acronyms, FUAM or UAM.
Campus Survival
JOSTUM has one of the most physically exhausting campus layouts in Nigeria. The university is massively split into two distinct zones: the 'North Core' and the 'South Core'. The South Core is the bustling epicenter where most of the student lodges, markets, and social life are concentrated. The North Core houses the administrative blocks, Engineering, and major Science faculties. If your lectures are in the North Core but you live around the South Core, you must budget daily for campus shuttles the distance is too massive to trek under the notoriously brutal Makurdi sun. Furthermore, if you are taking a commercial motorcycle (Okada) from Makurdi town, tell the rider you are going to 'Agric', as many locals are still unfamiliar with the name JOSTUM. When lodge hunting off-campus, prioritize compounds with a dedicated borehole, as water scarcity during the dry season is a severe reality.
JOSTUM Admission Cycle & Acceptance Trends
Post-UTME Cycle
Competitiveness
The 150 baseline cut-off makes the university highly accessible for agricultural and core science programs, but specialized programs like Veterinary Medicine and Mechanical Engineering remain fiercely competitive. The strict requirement to physically present result-checking scratch cards and proof of JAMB CAPS uploads during the August screening acts as a major filter, instantly eliminating unprepared applicants.
JOSTUM Admission Requirements (O'Level & Direct Entry)
🎯 The JOSTUM Aggregate Trap: Federal university admissions run on strict mathematics, not luck. If you don't know your exact aggregate score right now, you are flying blind. Learn the real cut-off marks, the O'Level grading system, and the backdoor course strategies to secure your spot in Makurdi. Download The JOSTUM 2026 Admission Blueprint (#1000) before you make an expensive mistake on your JAMB portal.
Direct Entry Rules
Direct Entry candidates must apply through JAMB, choosing JOSTUM as their first choice. They must possess five credit passes with at least two at the Advanced ('A') level GCE, or four credit passes at the advanced level. Alternatively, candidates with an acceptable credit pass in a UAM Diploma in a relevant field (alongside O'Level English and Mathematics) are highly considered.
Post UTME Screening Format
JOSTUM conducts a mandatory physical Post-UTME screening. Candidates must generate a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) exclusively from the university's portal to pay the ₦2,000 fee. They must then appear physically at the designated campus venue (typically the South Core) with their O'Level printouts, JAMB slips, and an O'Level scratch card for physical verification.
Frequently Asked Questions About JOSTUM Admission
What is the cut-off mark for JOSTUM/FUAM?
Did Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi change its name?
How do I pay my JOSTUM Post-UTME screening fee?
What are the subject requirements for Management Sciences at JOSTUM?
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