JAMB: UTME still mandatory for admission to varsities, says FG

JAMB: UTME still mandatory for admission to varsities, says FG

The Federal Government has refuted online rumors that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is no longer required for admission to the country’s tertiary institutions.

Some viral online claims stated that the Federal Government had discontinued the use of JAMB for admissions to universities, polytechnics, and institutes of education, and that individual institutions would now hold their own entrance exams.

In a statement made on Thursday by the Ministry of Education’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, rejected the claim as “false and baseless.”

The minister also stated that the viral message did not originate with the government.

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

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He underlined that JAMB is the statutory and legally competent agency in charge of administering entrance tests and organizing admissions to all tertiary institutions in the country.

The established admission processes through JAMB remain completely operational, and any contrary information should be ignored in its totality,” the minister said.

Alausa asked the public, particularly prospective students, parents, and tertiary institutions, to rely entirely on the Ministry and JAMB’s official communication channels for accurate and verified information about admission policies.

He also emphasized the ministry’s ongoing partnership with JAMB and other key organizations to ensure the integrity, fairness, and legitimacy of Nigeria’s higher education admissions system.”

“We remain committed to protecting the integrity of the admissions process and ensuring that merit and due process guide all admissions to higher education,” he said.

The minister warned media outlets, bloggers, and online platforms against posting false information.

“Misinformation capable of causing unnecessary confusion within the education sector must be avoided,” he warned.

The minister maintained that JAMB’s function in Nigeria’s tertiary education framework has not changed and remains fundamental and indispensable. Any publication or internet post that states otherwise “is entirely false and should be treated as such.”

JAMB: UTME still mandatory for admission to varsities, says FG