In a major policy shift, the Federal Ministry of Education has announced that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will no longer be a mandatory prerequisite for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Newsonspot reports that under the new directive, universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country will now have full autonomy to determine their own admission processes. Institutions can admit students based on their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results or equivalent qualifications and may also conduct internal screening tests, interviews, or other approved assessments.
The new policy, announced under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and unveiled by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s tertiary admission process.
According to the minister, the reform is aimed at removing barriers that have for years hindered millions of qualified students from gaining admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
“This policy is designed to democratize access to higher education,” Alausa said. “Every year, thousands of young Nigerians are denied admission not because they are unqualified, but because of rigid entry structures that do not reflect the realities of our education system.”
Dr. Alausa explained that while JAMB/UTME will still operate, it will no longer be the only admission route, allowing institutions greater autonomy and flexibility in student selection.
“JAMB has played a vital role in standardizing admissions,” the minister added. “However, we believe institutions should have multiple pathways to admit capable students. The goal is inclusion, not exclusion.”
The policy has already sparked widespread reactions among education stakeholders. While some academics hailed the move as a step toward reforming Nigeria’s rigid admission system, others expressed concerns over possible inconsistency in admission standards across institutions.
The Ministry explained that this reform aims to decentralize the admission process, reduce financial pressure on students, and promote a more flexible and transparent system for entry into higher education.
The Federal Government said it would soon release implementation guidelines to ensure transparency and fairness in how institutions apply the new admission framework.
