How to Defer Admission in Nigeria University or Polytechnic

You can defer your admission to Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions.

Deferment of admission is the process of stepping down or revoking your studentship for one (1) or more academic sessions.

To defer admission means to initiate the application to not resume the academic session for a valid reason.

You can defer admission for one (1) to twenty (20) years.

All Nigerian universities allow applications for deferment of admission by undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Newly admitted students with their JAMB admission letters can defer their admission after completing their first-year clearance.

In this post, I will walk you through the procedures for deferment of your admission to UNN, UNILAG, UNICAL, OAU, UI, ABU Zaria, and other schools.

You can ask me any questions or make further inquiries using the comment box at the end of this post. I will love to hear from you.

Also, you will be interested to read how you can graduate with first class in school.

Good Reasons to Defer Admission

Deferring your admission is a good idea if you have a valid reason why you cannot resume the academic session.

The reasons will be in your defer admission letter required for approval by your school registrar and admission office.

Here are a few valid reasons for the deferment of admission;

  • Health Challenge
  • Financial Crisis
  • Pregnancy
  • Lack of Academic Sponsor
  • Employment

Health Challenge

An ill-health condition is a common reason why students defer their admission.

The rigours of tertiary education require sound health for students. It is the only way you can survive academic stress.

Students with poor health conditions must defer their admission till they get recovery.

Financial Crisis

Financial challenges for students are the inability to pay tuition fees, accommodation and meet up with other expenses.

You need to apply for deferment if you cannot pay for your education.

This period will allow you to pool resources together to cater for your education.

Pregnancy

The event of pregnancy is a valid reason to defer your admission to your school.

It is optional because you can continue with school with your pregnancy.

But students who do not want to combine child-bearing with schooling can defer their admission.

Lack of Academic Sponsor

The lack of an academic sponsor is a valid reason to suspend your academics.

An academic sponsor is an individual that takes care of your financial obligations in school.

Your sponsor can be your parents, family members, etc.

Employment

Employment is a valid reason to put off your resumption for school.

Students who get employment during their academic programme can decide to postpone their resumption.

Requirements to Defer Admission

Here are the documents for deferring your admission;

  • JAMB Admission Letter
  • Local Government Area (LGA) Certificate
  • Birth Certificate
  • School Fees Payment Receipt
  • O’level Result (WAEC, NECO & NABTEB)
  • Passport Photograph
  • Student Biodata Form

Deferment of Admission Form

A deferment of admission form is a document you will get at your school admission or registrar’s office for the application.

You will need to fill out and submit this form for the approval of your admission postponement.

It is necessary to get your school’s official stamp on this form to indicate approval of your deferment.

Deferment Fee

A deferment fee is the amount of money you pay for the application process.

The money you will pay depends on your school. Some schools require that you generate the payment invoice on your school portal.

There are two payment methods;

  1. Online Payment
  2. Bank Deposit

How to Defer Admission

Here are the processes for deferment of admission;

  1. Pay your acceptance fee
  2. Generate school fees invoice
  3. Pay your school fees for the academic session
  4. Complete your first-year clearance
  5. Visit your head of department (HOD) office
  6. Inform your HOD you want to defer your admission
  7. Get the deferment application form from your faculty officer
  8. Fill out the form
  9. Write your deferment of admission letter
  10. Submit the deferment form and letter to your school registrar, faculty and department office
  11. Wait for approval from your school admission office

Defer Admission Letter Sample

Here is a sample of how you can write a letter to defer university admission;

Defer admission letter sample
This picture contains a deferment application letter sample

I, Olarewaju Blessing, a 100level student of Mass Communication at the Faculty of Arts, write to request for deferment of my admission for the 2026/2027 academic session.

My request for deferring my admission is because of my health challenges.

Attached to this letter are my Medical reports, approved by the university medical director.

Thanks for your anticipated assistance.

Application to Resume Academic Activities

You can resume school after deferring your admission by writing to your school.

In the letter, you will request to resume academic activities.

The letter will be reviewed and approved by your school registrar.

Let me know if you have any questions on how you can defer your admission. I will answer your questions as soon as possible.

Do well to join the Studentship Facebook Group to get instant school updates.

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52 thoughts on “How to Defer Admission in Nigeria University or Polytechnic”

  1. Hi
    My name is peter I just got admission into tasued and I’m supposed to resume middle of march buh my sponsor wants me to forfeit the admission
    I’ve paid the necessary fees except school fee and accomodation
    Can I also defer

    Reply
  2. Hello sir good Day
    I differred for one session and now I want to resume back,is there any written application that I need to write again notifying the school or I can just resume my studies without notifying the school management?

    Reply
    • Yes, James

      You need to address a letter to your registrar and department about your intention to resume academic activities.

      Let me know if you have further questions.

      Reply
    • Joshua,

      You can only defer your admission after your clearance.

      Speak with the admission officer for your department for further assistance.

      Reply
  3. Hello sir. I’m a student of University of Nigeria Nsukka. I’m in my 200L now but I want to differ my admission once I’m done with this level (i.e before 300L) by 6/7 sections. Please is it possible? What are the procedures I’m to take if it’s possible?

    Reply
    • Hello Peter,

      Yes, it is possible to defer your admission after the current academic session.

      The first step is to meet with your HOD or course adviser to declare your intention to differ your admission.

      Then, you will write a letter to the university registrar to formally defer your admission.

      Let me know if you have further questions.

      Reply
  4. Good day sir I have paid my acceptance fee and school fee but did not attach it to my different letter am I going to repay it next year

    Reply
      • Hello sir. I’m a student of University of Nigeria Nsukka. I’m in my 200L now but I want to differ my admission once I’m done with this level (i.e before 300L) by 6/7 sections. Please is it possible? What are the procedures I’m to take if it’s possible? I need your response please

        Reply
        • Hello Peter,

          Yes, it is possible to defer your admission after the current academic session.

          The first step is to meet with your HOD or course adviser to declare your intention to differ your admission.

          Then, you will write a letter to the university registrar to formally defer your admission.

          Let me know if you have further questions.

          Reply
  5. If I’m defering due to financial crisis will the university contact my parents ( will they notify my parents) about the deferment?

    Reply
  6. Hi.
    I’m a 200L student in T.S.U. And my school is planning on writing her first semester examination but I’ve not been able to pay my tuition fees.. and I’m thinking of deferring my admission…
    Please,I want to know if it’ll be possible for me to defer my admission

    Reply
  7. Will I still spend the same year after I differed my admission or it will b an additional year?

    Suppose I differed admission in 2016/2017 and the course is a 4 years course. I was suppose to end by 2020/2021. Will it be that same year [2020/2021] or another year?

    Reply
  8. hello pls i couldn’t resume school after i had my baby but i wrote my 3rd semester exam before i had my baby…
    i didn’t apply to defer my admission i just missed the session and now i want to repeat the session what do i do?

    Reply
    • Hello Mrs. Seko

      The first step will be to visit your department.

      You will get guidance on how to renew your studentship.

      Reply
    • Hello Jackson

      Visit the Registrar’s office and HOD of your school to notify them you wish to resume academic activities.

      You will get the procedures for resumption.

      I wish you success in your academics.

      Let me know if you have furhter questions.

      Reply
  9. Good day sir. Please can I differ my admission in 300 level. I’m in my 200 level now and I want to differ my admission before 300 level. I want to know if it’s possible and if yes, what are the procedures? I’m a student in the University of Nigeria Nsukka. Please sir.

    Reply
  10. I differ my admission for a section and now planing to resume.

    Can I resumes to year 2 and spill over the section I differ as Carry over.

    Reply
    • Abayomi,

      Not sure I completely understand your question.

      After deferment of admission, you would resume your previous academic level.

      If you differed your admission after getting admission to the university, you would resume for your first year.

      Reply

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