Abdulsalam Otene
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has issued its official notice for the 2026/2027 online screening exercise. The notice applies to prospective candidates who chose ATBU as their first choice in the 2026 JAMB Examination and met the required minimum score, as well as Direct Entry candidates seeking admission into the university.
This guide walks through who qualifies, the screening dates, the registration process, the fee involved, and what to expect during physical screening, based on the university’s official announcement.
Who Is Eligible for This Screening Exercise?
According to the notice, signed by the Registrar, Alh. Kabiru Garba Aminu, two groups of candidates are eligible to take part in this screening exercise:
- Candidates who chose ATBU as their first choice in the 2026 JAMB Examination and scored a minimum of 160 and above
- Direct Entry candidates applying for admission into the university
If your JAMB score is below 160 or ATBU was not your first-choice institution, this particular screening exercise does not apply to you based on the conditions stated in the notice.
Screening Dates
The university has structured this exercise into two distinct stages which are the online screening and physical screening, each with its own timeline.
Online screening will run for two weeks, from Monday, July 13, 2026, to Monday, July 27, 2026. This is the window during which candidates must complete their bio-data update, payment, and form submission on the university’s portal.
Physical screening will follow immediately after, commencing after the online stage closes and running until Saturday, August 22, 2026. This is when candidates will be required to present their original credentials for verification, as explained further below.
Given that the online screening window is relatively short at two weeks, candidates are advised to begin the process as early as possible within that period rather than waiting until close to July 27.
How to Complete Online Screening
The entire online screening process takes place on the university’s dedicated screening portal. Here is the process as outlined by ATBU, step by step:
- Visit the screening portal at https://screening.atbu.edu.ng and log in using your JAMB Number.
- Generate your Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) number. For this step, use your JAMB registration number as your Username and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi as your Institution.
- Make payment of ₦2,000 (Two Thousand Naira only) as the online screening fee, paid into the ATBU account using an ATM card or any bank of your choice.
- Fill in your GSM (phone) number, email address, and all other required fields on the online screening form.
- Submit the completed screening form.
- Download your online screening acknowledgement slip. This document will be required later for the purpose of physical screening, so it should be printed and kept safe.
Because the acknowledgement slip is specifically tied to the physical screening stage, candidates should not skip this final download step, even if they intend to complete physical screening much later in the process.
Screening Fee
The online screening fee is ₦2,000 (Two Thousand Naira only). This amount is paid directly into the ATBU account after generating your RRR, and can be settled using an ATM card or through any bank of your choice. No other amount or additional online screening charge is mentioned in the notice.
What Happens During Physical Screening
Physical screening follows immediately after the online screening window closes, running until August 22, 2026. According to the university’s note, the original copies of your credentials will be verified at this stage.
This means candidates should prepare to bring the original versions of all academic documents referenced during their online application including O’Level results, JAMB documents, and any Direct Entry qualifications since these will be checked in person against what was submitted online. Candidates should also carry their online screening acknowledgement slip to this stage, as it appears to serve as proof of having completed the first stage of the process.
A Note for Candidates With Awaiting Results
The university has specifically addressed candidates who applied while still awaiting their O’Level results. According to the notice, all such candidates are advised to revisit their JAMB profile and update their O’Level results once available.
This is an important reminder for candidates who sat for WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination and had not yet received their results at the time of their original JAMB registration. Failing to update this information on the JAMB profile could create a mismatch between what ATBU sees during screening and the candidate’s actual academic records, so this step should not be treated as optional or something to handle later.
Practical Tips for Applicants
- Confirm your JAMB score meets the 160 minimum before attempting to register, unless you are applying through Direct Entry.
- Have your JAMB registration number ready, since it’s required both for portal login and for generating your RRR.
- Complete the online stage early within the two-week window rather than close to the July 27 deadline.
- Download and print your acknowledgement slip immediately after submitting the online form — you will need it for physical screening.
- Gather your original credentials in advance of physical screening, since these will be verified in person.
- Update your O’Level results on your JAMB profile as soon as they are released, if you applied while awaiting results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum JAMB score required for ATBU screening?
Candidates need a minimum score of 160 and above, provided ATBU was chosen as their first choice in the 2026 JAMB Examination. Direct Entry candidates are also eligible.
When does ATBU online screening start and end?
Online screening runs for two weeks, from Monday, July 13, 2026, to Monday, July 27, 2026.
How much is the ATBU online screening fee?
The fee is ₦2,000, payable into the ATBU account using an ATM card or any bank of your choice, after generating an RRR.
When is ATBU physical screening taking place?
Physical screening follows the online stage and continues until Saturday, August 22, 2026.
What documents do I need for ATBU physical screening?
You should bring the original copies of your academic credentials, as these will be verified in person, along with your online screening acknowledgement slip.
What should I do if I applied to ATBU while still awaiting my O’Level results?
You are advised to revisit your JAMB profile and update your O’Level results as soon as they become available.
Conclusion
ATBU’s online screening exercise for the 2026/2027 academic session is open to candidates who chose the university as their first choice and scored at least 160 in the 2026 JAMB Examination, as well as Direct Entry applicants. Online screening runs from July 13 to July 27, 2026, and involves generating an RRR, paying a ₦2,000 fee, completing a bio-data form, and downloading an acknowledgement slip.
Physical screening follows immediately after, running until August 22, 2026, and will involve verification of original academic credentials. Candidates who applied while awaiting their O’Level results should ensure these are updated on their JAMB profile before screening, to avoid any mismatch during the verification process.
