The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced a new policy removing the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination as a mandatory requirement for admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges.
The new policy is aimed at broadening access to higher education.
Announced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and spearheaded by Education Minister Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, the reform addresses longstanding barriers to tertiary education.
Each year, millions of students take the JAMB/UTME, but only a fraction secure admission due to stringent requirements.
The government attributes this low admission rate to restrictive policies rather than student performance.
Under the new guidelines, tertiary institutions can now admit students based on their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results, such as WAEC or NECO.
Universities require at least five credits in relevant subjects, including English, with Mathematics mandatory only for science, technology, and social science programs.
For National Diploma (ND) programs in polytechnics, a minimum of four credits, including English, is sufficient, while Higher National Diploma (HND) programs require five credits, including English and Mathematics.
The policy aims to reduce obstacles and provide equitable opportunities for students to pursue higher education. While JAMB/UTME remains an option, it is no longer the sole pathway to admission, granting institutions greater flexibility to use SSCE results for admissions decisions.
