The Federal Government has refuted claims suggesting the abolition of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), affirming that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) continues to be the sole authorized agency overseeing tertiary admissions in Nigeria.
This clarification was provided in an official statement released on Thursday by Boriowo Folasade, the spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education.
She labeled the circulating social media reports as inaccurate and deceptive, emphasizing that neither the Ministry nor any affiliated agency has issued or endorsed such information.
“To clarify, JAMB remains the legally mandated institution responsible for administering entrance exams and managing admissions into all Nigerian tertiary institutions,” the statement declared.
“The existing admission framework facilitated by JAMB is fully functional, and any conflicting reports should be completely disregarded,” it added.
Folasade also conveyed that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, reiterated the Federal Government’s steadfast collaboration with JAMB and other educational stakeholders to uphold transparency, equity, and meritocracy throughout the admission process.
She quoted the Minister highlighting that preserving the integrity of the tertiary admission system is a paramount concern for the current administration.
“The government is dedicated to safeguarding the credibility of the admissions procedure and ensuring that all eligible applicants receive equitable opportunities,” the Minister stated.
This official response came in the wake of rumors sparked by the government’s announcement of revised admission criteria, which now permit candidates lacking a credit pass in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to be admitted into programs within the Faculty of Arts.
The Ministry explained that this adjustment aims to broaden access to higher education and harmonize admission policies with international standards.
Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Education reiterated this position through its verified X (formerly Twitter) account, confirming that the UTME remains intact and that JAMB continues to play a central role in Nigeria’s tertiary admission system.
