FG Denies Scrapping JAMB for Admission into Nigerian Universities

The Federal Government has debunked widespread reports claiming that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been scrapped as a requirement for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the reports as “false, baseless, and misleading.” He stressed that the information did not originate from the Ministry of Education and should be completely disregarded by the public.

The statement, signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry, reaffirmed that JAMB remains the sole statutory body empowered by law to conduct entrance examinations and coordinate admissions into all universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria.

“At no point did the Ministry issue or authorise any statement suggesting that JAMB is no longer mandatory for admission into tertiary institutions,” the Minister clarified.

Dr. Alausa noted that the established admission process through JAMB remains fully operational, adding that any contrary publication is aimed at misleading the public and creating unnecessary confusion within the education sector.

He reiterated the Ministry’s continued collaboration with JAMB and other relevant agencies to uphold transparency, fairness, and integrity in Nigeria’s tertiary education admission process.

“The Ministry remains committed to protecting the credibility of the admission process and ensuring that the principles of merit and fairness are upheld,” the statement read.

The Minister also cautioned media organisations, bloggers, and online platforms against spreading unverified information, urging them to always confirm from official government sources before publication.

Furthermore, the Ministry advised students, parents, and tertiary institutions to rely solely on official communication channels of the Federal Ministry of Education and JAMB for updates on admission guidelines and education policies.

“There has been no change in the role of JAMB, which remains central and indispensable in Nigeria’s tertiary education framework,” the statement concluded.

Established in 1977, JAMB is responsible for conducting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) — the nationwide entrance exam for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

Candidates are required to have passed the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), National Examination Council (NECO), or equivalent qualifications before being eligible to sit for the UTME.