The Federal Government has dismissed claims that it has abolished the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), reaffirming that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) remains the sole legally recognised body for admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, described the reports circulating on social media as false and misleading. She clarified that neither the ministry nor any of its agencies issued or approved such an announcement.
“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 statement read.
The ministry maintained that all established admission procedures through JAMB remain in force, urging the public to disregard any information suggesting otherwise.
Folasade further noted that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had reiterated the Federal Government’s continued collaboration with JAMB and other education agencies to uphold transparency, fairness, and merit in the admission process.
According to her, the minister emphasised that safeguarding the integrity of tertiary education admissions remains a top priority for the current administration. “The Federal Government is committed to maintaining the credibility of the process and ensuring that every qualified candidate has a fair chance,” she quoted Alausa as saying.
The clarification follows online rumours sparked by the government’s recent decision to review admission requirements, allowing candidates without a credit pass in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to apply for programmes in the Faculty of Arts.
The ministry explained that the policy adjustment aims to widen access to higher education and align Nigeria’s admission system with international best practices.
The Federal Ministry of Education also reiterated the clarification via its verified X (formerly Twitter) account, confirming that the UTME remains an integral part of the country’s tertiary admission process.
