JOSTUM Portal Guide

Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), formerly the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM), stands as a pillar of agricultural and scientific education in Nigeria. For the thousands of ambitious students and aspirants connected to this great institution, the JOSTUM Portal is the most critical digital tool in their academic arsenal. This is not just a website; it is the university’s administrative and academic heart, a comprehensive ecosystem that manages every step of a student’s journey, from the initial application to the final results.

Understanding how to navigate this portal with confidence and precision is not a mere convenience—it is a fundamental requirement for a successful and stress-free academic experience. As a seasoned expert in the Nigerian educational technology sector, I have crafted this guide to be the most detailed, convincing, and all-encompassing resource available. We will dissect every function of the JOSTUM portal, providing clear, step-by-step instructions and expert solutions to common challenges. Whether you are a UTME candidate battling for admission, a returning student registering for a new semester, or a final-year student meticulously tracking your CGPA, this definitive 2025/2026 guide will empower you to master the JOSTUM portal.

JOSTUM Portal

One Gateway, Multiple Functions

The first thing to understand is that the official JOSTUM portal, primarily accessed via https://myportal.uam.edu.ng, is an integrated student information system. While users might search for different “portals” (e.g., “result portal,” “fee portal,” “admission portal”), these are all functions housed within this central hub.

The JOSTUM portal is your personalized digital gateway for:

  • Admissions: Applying for Post-UTME/Direct Entry screening, checking screening results, and verifying admission status.
  • Fee Payments: Generating Remita invoices and paying all university-mandated fees, including acceptance fees, school fees, and accommodation fees.
  • Course Registration: A crucial semesterly process of selecting and registering courses online.
  • Result Checking: Viewing detailed semester-by-semester academic results and tracking your overall performance (GPA/CGPA).
  • Accommodation: Applying for and securing bed space in the university’s halls of residence.
  • Personal Information Management: Viewing and, in some cases, updating your personal and academic records.

Mastering this single platform means mastering your entire administrative relationship with the university.

For New Applicants (UTME & Direct Entry)

Your Admission Journey Starts Here

For every prospective “Jostumite,” the portal is the official gateway to beginning their academic journey. The process is systematic and requires careful attention to detail.

Step 1: Post-UTME/DE Screening Application

Once JOSTUM announces its Post-UTME screening and you have confirmed you meet the JAMB cut-off mark, the application process begins on the portal.

  1. Visit the JOSTUM Portal: Open a reliable web browser (like Chrome or Firefox) and navigate to myportal.uam.edu.ng.
  2. Start Your Application: On the homepage, locate the link for new applications. This is often clearly labeled as “Start Application” or “UTME/DE Screening Registration.”
  3. Verify Your Eligibility: You will be required to enter your JAMB Registration Number. The portal will cross-reference this with the database of eligible candidates provided by JAMB.
  4. Generate Remita Invoice (RRR): To pay the mandatory screening fee, you must first generate a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR). The portal will create this unique 12-digit code for your transaction.
  5. Make Payment: Payment is flexible via the Remita platform:
    • Online: Use your ATM (debit) card for an instant payment confirmation. This is the fastest method.
    • Bank Branch: Print the RRR invoice and take it to any commercial bank nationwide to pay over the counter.
  6. Complete the Registration Form: After your payment is confirmed, return to the portal and log in. You can now access the full registration form. Fill in your personal details, O’Level results (up to two sittings), and other required information with 100% accuracy. Any discrepancy can lead to disqualification.
  7. Upload Required Documents: Scan clear copies of your credentials (JAMB result slip, O’Level result slip, birth certificate, etc.) and upload them in the specified format (usually JPEG or PDF).
  8. Submit and Print: Review all your entries carefully before final submission. Once submitted, print out your Application Slip and Payment Receipt. These documents are your proof of registration and will be required later.

Step 2: Checking Your Post-UTME Result

After the screening exercise, your performance will be published on the portal.

  1. Login to the Portal: Return to myportal.uam.edu.ng.
  2. Navigate to “Check Post-UTME Result”: Find the designated link on the portal’s main menu.
  3. Enter Your Details: You will typically need your JAMB Registration Number to access your score. Your result will be displayed, usually out of 100.

Step 3: Checking Your Admission Status

Following the release of admission lists, your status is confirmed on the portal.

  1. Login to Your Applicant Dashboard: Use your JAMB number and password.
  2. Click on “Check Admission Status”: The portal will clearly state if you have been offered provisional admission and for which course.
  3. Accept on JAMB CAPS: This is a critical step. You must log in to your JAMB CAPS profile to formally accept the admission offer. If you fail to do this, the admission will be lost.

Step 4: Paying Acceptance Fee

To secure your admission, a non-refundable acceptance fee must be paid within a given deadline.

  1. Generate Acceptance Fee RRR: From your dashboard on the JOSTUM portal, an option to pay the acceptance fee will now be active. Generate a new RRR for this payment.
  2. Pay the Fee: Use any of the Remita payment channels.
  3. Print Admission Letter: After payment, you can print your official JOSTUM Admission Letter. This document is essential for your physical clearance and registration as a bona fide student.

For Returning Students

A Guide to Semester Management

Once you are a matriculated student, the portal becomes your primary tool for managing your academic life each semester.

Step 1: School Fees Payment

This is the first action you must take at the beginning of every new academic session.

  1. Login with Matric Number: Visit myportal.uam.edu.ng and log in using your official Matriculation Number as your username and your password.
  2. Generate School Fees RRR: On your student dashboard, navigate to the “Payments” or “My Fees” section. The portal will generate an RRR invoice for the current session’s school fees.
  3. Complete Payment: Pay via any Remita channel. The portal is designed to prevent you from proceeding to the next step until your fee payment is confirmed.

Step 2: Online Course Registration

After fee payment, you must register the courses you will be taking for the semester.

  1. Access the Course Registration Module: On your dashboard, the “Course Registration” link will become active.
  2. Select Courses: The portal will display all the courses available for your level and department, clearly marking them as compulsory or elective.
  3. Adhere to Credit Load: Select your courses, ensuring the total number of credit units is within the minimum and maximum load allowed by the university’s academic regulations (usually between 15 and 24 credit units).
  4. Submit for Approval: After making your selection, submit the form. It is then electronically routed to your designated Course Adviser for review and approval.
  5. Print Your Course Registration Form (CRF): Once your adviser approves your courses, you must print the CRF. This document, often called the “Course Form,” is official proof of your registration and is mandatory for gaining entry into examination halls.

Step 3: Checking Semester Results

At the end of the semester, your grades are released on the portal.

  1. Login to Your Dashboard: Access your portal account.
  2. Navigate to “View Results”: Click on the results link in the main menu.
  3. Select Session and Semester: Choose the specific academic session and semester you wish to view.
  4. View and Print: Your result will be displayed in a detailed format. You can print this unofficial slip for your personal records.

Understanding Your Academic Performance

GPA and CGPA Calculation

The JOSTUM portal will display your grades, but understanding how they translate into your GPA is key to tracking your progress. JOSTUM uses the standard 5-point grading system.

Score Range (%) Letter Grade Grade Point (GP)
70 – 100 A 5.0
60 – 69 B 4.0
50 – 59 C 3.0
45 – 49 D 2.0
40 – 44 E 1.0
0 – 39 F 0.0

To calculate your Semester Grade Point Average (GPA):

GPA = Total Quality Points (TQP) / Total Credit Units (TCU)

  • Quality Point (QP) for a course = Grade Point (GP) x Credit Unit (CU)
  • TQP = Sum of QP for all courses that semester.
  • TCU = Sum of Credit Units for all courses that semester.

Example:

Course CU Grade GP QP (GP x CU)
AEE501 3 A 5.0 15.0
CVE503 3 B 4.0 12.0
GSS301 2 C 3.0 6.0
MEE507 3 B 4.0 12.0
Total 11 45.0

GPA = 45.0 (TQP) / 11 (TCU) = 4.09

Your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is the overall GPA calculated from all semesters you have completed.

Troubleshooting Common Portal Issues

Solutions and Expert Advice

1. Problem: Invalid Login Credentials or Forgotten Password

  • Solution: Carefully re-type your Matric Number/JAMB Number and password. If you’ve forgotten your password, use the “Forgot Password” feature on the login page. A reset link will be sent to your registered email. If you can no longer access that email, you must visit the university’s ICT support center (MICT) for assistance.

2. Problem: Payment Confirmed by Bank but Not Reflecting on the Portal

  • Solution: This is usually due to a network delay. Do not pay again. Wait for a few hours. If the issue persists after 24 hours, return to the payment section of the portal and use the “Re-query” or “Check Payment Status” button. This forces the portal to check with Remita again. If this fails, contact the university’s ICT or Bursary department with your RRR and proof of payment.

3. Problem: A Course is Missing from the Course Registration List

  • Solution: This is a departmental issue. The course may not have been correctly configured for your level. Contact your Course Adviser or Head of Department immediately for resolution.

4. Problem: Portal is Slow or Inaccessible

  • Solution: This is common during peak periods like the first day of registration or result release. The server is overloaded. The best strategy is to try accessing the portal during off-peak hours, such as very early in the morning (4-6 AM) or late at night.

Your Key to a Successful University Experience

The JOSTUM portal is the engine room of your academic journey at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi. It is a powerful tool that, when mastered, provides you with complete control over your administrative and academic responsibilities. By following this comprehensive guide, you can navigate every process with confidence, avoid common pitfalls, and focus on what truly matters: your education.

Always remember to keep your login details secure, adhere strictly to deadlines announced by the university, and rely on the portal as the single source of truth. Your ability to effectively manage this digital platform is a direct investment in a smooth, efficient, and successful academic career at JOSTUM.