The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that access to higher education in Nigeria remains fair, transparent, merit-driven, and accountable.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, made this known following the 2026 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions, where education stakeholders deliberated on reforms aimed at strengthening integrity and expanding access across the nation’s tertiary education system.
According to the minister, admissions conducted outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board will remain illegal and unrecognized by the government.
Alausa also confirmed that 16 years remains the minimum age requirement for admission into tertiary institutions across the country.
He announced that candidates seeking admission into National Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes with a minimum of four credits would no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). However, such candidates must still register with JAMB for screening and admission processing through CAPS.
The minister further stated that the minimum admissible scores for universities and colleges of nursing remain fixed at 150, while polytechnics will continue to admit candidates with a minimum score of 100.
On inclusive education, Alausa said the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to support Persons Living With Disabilities through improved accessibility and targeted interventions within the education sector.
He added that the government is accelerating the adoption of digital technologies, computer-based testing, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies to modernise teaching, learning, and assessment processes nationwide.
The minister also disclosed that verification and supervision mechanisms are being strengthened to curb examination malpractice and improve the credibility of Nigeria’s education system.
Alausa commended JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, and the board for deploying technology-driven and data-based systems that have enhanced public trust and transparency in the admissions process.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to build a tertiary education system that is accessible, inclusive, globally competitive, and rooted in integrity.
