16/10/2025
JAMB IS NO MORE MANDATORY FOR ADMISSION IN TO HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA.
PRESS SUMMARY: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STREAMLINES ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO TERTIARY EDUCATION
The Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), has approved a major reform in the admission process for universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and innovation enterprise academies (IEAs). The new policy, announced by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa (CON), aims to make tertiary education more inclusive and accessible to all qualified Nigerian youths.
According to the Minister, over two million candidates write the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination each year, but only about 700,000 are admitted into various institutions. The government believes this gap is not due to students’ lack of ability, but because of outdated and overly strict entry conditions.
To solve this, the Federal Government has introduced a new National Guideline for Entry Requirements that gives greater value to O’Level results (WAEC or NECO) while maintaining academic standards.
Key Points of the New Guideline:
1. Universities:
A minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, and Mathematics for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses, obtained in not more than two sittings.
Example: A candidate with credits in English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Technical Drawing can now be considered for Civil Engineering, even if their JAMB score is moderate.
2. Polytechnics:
ND (National Diploma): Minimum of four (4) credits, including English or Mathematics (depending on the course).
HND (Higher National Diploma): Minimum of five (5) credits, including both English and Mathematics.
Example: A student with four credits including English and Accountancy can apply for an ND in Business Administration.
3. Colleges of Education:
NCE: Minimum of four (4)
