What is catchment area and how does it affect admission?

Catchment area is a federal admissions policy that gives some consideration to candidates from states within a university's designated catchment zone. It is not the same as "indigenes only", and it does not replace merit.

In practice, federal universities balance:

• Merit — the strongest candidates overall.
• Catchment — candidates from designated states.
• Educationally less developed states — a separate quota.

Your state of origin on your JAMB profile matters here. If it is wrong, you may be assessed under the wrong quota.

Catchment does not mean a lower score is automatically accepted. It affects how the available places are shared, and the school still publishes its own rules. Check the university's admission brochure or official notice rather than relying on a WhatsApp broadcast.