In a sweeping shake-up of Nigeria’s tertiary education admission process, the Federal Ministry of Education has announced that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will no longer be mandatory as the primary requirement for university entry.
Under the new directive, universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country will now have full autonomy to admit candidates using their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results or its equivalent.
The Ministry said the move is aimed at granting institutions greater flexibility and ensuring that qualified and deserving students are not shut out of higher education due to rigid centralised requirements.
Education stakeholders say the development could significantly alter the nation’s admission landscape, potentially reducing bottlenecks while placing greater responsibility on institutions to uphold transparency and merit.
While reactions continue to trail the policy shift, many prospective students are already hailing it as a long-awaited relief from the intense pressure surrounding the unified entrance examination.
If fully implemented, the decision marks one of the most significant reforms in Nigeria’s tertiary admission system in decades — redefining who decides, and how.
About The Author
