A Nigerian medical student has sparked discussion on social media by offering a reality check to aspirants seeking admission into Medicine and Surgery with low scores in the 2026 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations. Her advice comes as many candidates of the 2026 UTME express concerns about their chances of entering the highly competitive medical field.
Medical Student Advises JAMB Aspirants
In a TikTok video, the medical student, known as @rhamzy01, responded to a JAMB candidate who scored 264 and asked if there was still hope of studying medicine. The aspirant said, 'Good evening, sis. I will like to connect with you. I am aspiring for medicine. I will like to have you as my mentor. Is there hope for me? I got 264 in my JAMB.'
While acknowledging that 264 is a good score, she warned that it may not be sufficient for Nigeria's top five universities. 'If you want to go to schools like UI, UNILAG, UNILORIN, or OAU, it is better to have scores above 280 to stand a chance,' she replied.
Alternative Routes for Low Scores
For those who did not reach the 280 mark, @rhamzy01 outlined three alternative pathways to pursuing a medical career:
- Consider state or newer federal universities where admission competition is less intense.
- Enroll in related courses such as Anatomy, Physiology, or Biochemistry, and rewrite JAMB during the 100-level year.
- Some universities allow students with exceptional first-year results in related sciences to transfer into the Medical faculty at the 200-level.
Medical Student Shares Personal Experience
Sharing her own journey, the student revealed that she secured her medical school spot in 2019 with a JAMB score of 289. She noted that while the landscape has become more competitive over the past six years, a combination of prayer and strategic planning remains effective. 'Personally, when I gained admission in 2019, I gained admission with a JAMB score of 289. But that was six years ago, so I do not know how competitive it will be this time around. But just make sure you pray and also consult your parents,' she said.
Reactions from Social Media
Legit.ng gathered reactions from TikTok users who watched the video. Some comments include:
Ibnu anafi said: 'Everything is just changing your score. It's just like 320+ now oo, my brother in 2017, 287 in Unilorin is one of the highest in the class, more power to your elbow.'
Ayomitunmise asked: 'But with 263, is nursing possible?' To which @rhamzy01 replied: 'Yes, dear. I mentioned it in the video.'
The video has since gone viral, prompting many aspirants to reconsider their strategies for gaining admission into medical programs.
