KEY DECISIONS AND REFORMS ANNOUNCED AT THE 2026 JAMB POLICY MEETING ON TERTIARY INSTITUTION ADMISSIONS IN NIGERIA

The 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions, organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja, introduced several major reforms affecting admissions into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, nursing schools and other tertiary institutions across Nigeria. One of the biggest announcements from the meeting was the approval by the Federal Government that candidates seeking admission into the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme with a minimum of four O’Level credit passes will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The exemption was also extended to candidates applying for National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural courses and agriculture-related non-engineering programmes in polytechnics and colleges of education. However, such candidates will still register with JAMB and their admissions must still be processed through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, explained that the decision was aimed at reviving interest in the teaching profession, increasing enrollment into colleges of education, reducing pressure on UTME candidates and expanding access to tertiary education. During the meeting, JAMB and heads of tertiary institutions also approved the official minimum cut-off marks for 2026 admissions. Universities and colleges of nursing were pegged at 150, while polytechnics and colleges of education were fixed at 100. Institutions were reminded that although they may choose higher cut-off marks, they are not allowed to go below the approved national benchmark.

The Federal Government also retained 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions, stating that the policy was necessary to ensure academic and emotional maturity among candidates, though exceptions may be considered for specially gifted students under strict conditions. Another major decision reached at the meeting was the declaration that all admissions conducted outside the JAMB CAPS platform are illegal. The government warned institutions against bypassing CAPS, stressing that admissions not processed through the platform would not be recognised and institutions violating the directive could face sanctions, including withdrawal of admission privileges or suspension.

JAMB also announced official deadlines for the completion of 2026 admissions. Public universities are expected to conclude admissions by October 31, 2026, while polytechnics have until November 30, 2026, and colleges of education and monotechnics until December 31, 2026. In addition, candidates offered admission will now have only four weeks to accept the offer or risk losing the admission slot, which may then be given to another qualified candidate.

The meeting further warned institutions not to exceed their approved admission quotas or carrying capacities. Schools were directed to strictly comply with accreditation limits and approved student intake to avoid overcrowding and maintain academic standards. Institutions were also instructed to begin their Post-UTME screenings and admission processing immediately after the policy meeting to ensure that the academic calendar is not delayed.

JAMB additionally disclosed that the portal for change of course and change of institution would only be opened after the completion of the mop-up UTME examination. The government also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting candidates living with disabilities through improved accessibility measures, fee waivers and inclusive support programmes. During the meeting, the Minister praised JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, for improving transparency and credibility in the admission process through digital reforms and technology-driven systems. JAMB also revealed plans to introduce a personal computer-based UTME option beginning from 2027 as part of efforts to modernise examinations in Nigeria.