Nigerian Government Reinforces Merit, Transparency in 2026 Tertiary Admissions Process

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that entry into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions remains guided by fairness, merit and strict adherence to established procedures.

According to a statement issued by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, following the 2026 JAMB Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions on Monday, several key resolutions were adopted to enhance the credibility of the process.

The annual policy meeting, held on May 11 at the Body of Benchers Auditorium in Jabi, Abuja, brought together stakeholders including vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts and representatives from regulatory bodies. It focused on reviewing guidelines for the 2026/2027 academic session amid growing emphasis on technology-driven reforms and inclusive education.

Dr Alausa stressed that admissions conducted outside the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) would remain illegal and unrecognised. This directive aims to eliminate irregular practices that have historically undermined public confidence in the system. Institutions have been warned against exceeding approved quotas or bypassing the central platform, with potential sanctions for non-compliance.

The minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions stays at 16 years. This threshold balances the need for academic readiness with the realities of Nigeria’s education timeline, while provisions exist for exceptional cases of younger but exceptionally brilliant candidates who meet rigorous criteria, including high performance benchmarks.

To ease entry into the teaching profession, candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes with a minimum of four credits in relevant subjects will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). However, they must still register with JAMB for proper screening and processing through CAPS to maintain central oversight.

Minimum admissible scores for the 2026 admissions cycle were retained at 150 for universities and colleges of nursing sciences, and 100 for polytechnics. Individual institutions retain the right to set higher cut-off marks for competitive programmes, allowing flexibility while preserving a national baseline. This decision reflects ongoing efforts to expand access without compromising standards, even as critics argue that broader systemic improvements in secondary education are needed to raise overall candidate quality.

Furthermore, the government says it is prioritising inclusive education for persons living with disabilities. Targeted interventions, including improved physical and digital accessibility, form part of a broader strategy to ensure equitable opportunities across diverse learner groups.

Stakeholders also resolved to intensify verification mechanisms and supervisory frameworks aimed at curbing examination malpractice. This includes stronger collaboration between JAMB, security agencies and educational institutions to detect and deter malpractices at every stage of the process.

Dr Alausa commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, particularly its Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, for sustained use of technology and data-driven systems that have bolstered credibility and public trust. Prof. Oloyede’s tenure has been marked by notable advancements, including the full implementation of CAPS since 2018, which has streamlined admissions and minimised cases of multiple offers to candidates.

This year’s meeting is reportedly the final policy gathering under Prof. Oloyede’s leadership in his current capacity, after a decade of service characterised by significant reforms. His contributions have been acknowledged by senior government officials, who praised the enhanced transparency and efficiency introduced during his time at the helm.