FG Warns Against Illegal Admissions, Exempts NCE Candidates from UTME

ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has warned tertiary institutions across Nigeria against conducting admissions outside the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), insisting that admissions processed outside the platform would be treated as illegal.

Speaking on Monday at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa said institutions found violating the directive risk sanctions, including suspension of operating licences and other regulatory actions.

“Admissions conducted outside this framework are illegal and will not be recognised,” Alausa said, stressing that the government was determined to end parallel admission systems within the country’s tertiary education sector.

He explained that CAPS has strengthened transparency, accountability and fairness in the placement of candidates into tertiary institutions nationwide.

The minister also announced that candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes with a minimum of four credit passes would no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

He clarified, however, that such candidates must still register with JAMB and undergo credential verification through CAPS before admission letters can be issued.

According to him, the exemption would also apply to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses, adding the policy was introduced to widen access to teacher education and encourage enrolment in agriculture-related programmes critical to national development.

He further reaffirmed 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions, noting that the policy balances inclusiveness with academic preparedness.

Also speaking at the meeting, Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described the annual policy meeting as an important platform for strengthening fairness and accountability in admissions.

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Otamere Gladness

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Otamere Gladness, a Political Science graduate, is interning with Africa Health Report (AHR) as a multimedia journalist. With experience in photography and digital content creation, she produces compelling visual narratives that shed light on both the challenges and resilience within health systems and underserved communities across Africa. X (Twitter): @glad_nex

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