FG denies claims that JAMB is no longer mandatory for university admission

The Federal Government has refuted online reports claiming that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination is no longer compulsory for gaining admission into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions.

In a statement issued by Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, the government described the reports as false and misleading, emphasizing that no such directive was issued by the ministry.

Folasade clarified that the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by JAMB remains a mandatory prerequisite for admission into all accredited higher institutions across the country.

It reads: “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Education has been drawn to a misleading publication circulating in some newspapers and online platforms, falsely claiming that the Ministry has announced that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is no longer required for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa CON, wishes to categorically state that this report is false, baseless, and did not originate from the Federal Ministry of Education.

“At no point did the Ministry issue or authorize any statement suggesting that JAMB is no longer mandatory for admission into tertiary institutions. For the avoidance of doubt, JAMB remains the statutory and legally empowered body responsible for conducting entrance examinations and coordinating admissions into all tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

“The established admission processes through JAMB remain fully operational, and any contrary information should be disregarded in its entirety.

“The Federal Ministry of Education completely dissociates itself from the false publication and urges the general public, particularly prospective students, parents, and tertiary institutions, to rely solely on official communication channels of the Ministry and JAMB for accurate and verified information regarding admission policies and education-related matters.

“Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Ministry’s unwavering collaboration with JAMB and other relevant agencies to uphold transparency, fairness, and credibility in Nigeria’s tertiary education admission system. He emphasized that the Ministry remains committed to protecting the integrity of the admission process and ensuring that merit and due process guide all admissions into higher institutions.”