Major decisions reshaping how Nigerian students gain entry into tertiary institutions have emerged from the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja on Monday, with the Federal Government using the platform to announce exemptions, issue warnings, and reaffirm key admission standards.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, declared that any admission conducted outside the Central Admissions Processing System would be treated as illegal and attract sanctions. "Let me reiterate, without equivocation, that admissions conducted outside this framework are illegal and will not be recognised," he stated, warning that institutions operating parallel admission processes risked suspension of their operating licences.

"Any institution found to have conducted admissions outside the CAPS will be held accountable, and appropriate sanctions shall be applied without hesitation," Alausa added.

The minister also confirmed that 16 years remains the minimum age for entry into tertiary institutions following extensive consultations. "This position reflects a careful balance between inclusivity and academic readiness," he noted, adding that exceptionally gifted candidates below the threshold would be handled under strictly enforced guidelines.

In a related development announced at the same policy meeting, JAMB kept the minimum cut off mark at 150 for university admissions for 2026/27, after voting by vice chancellors and heads of tertiary institutions. The board also approved 150 for Colleges of Nursing, while polytechnics require at least 100. Institutions can set higher standards based on competitiveness, with universities for courses like Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, and Engineering typically exceeding these minimums.

Among the most significant announcements was the exemption of certain candidates from sitting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board confirmed that candidates seeking admission into Education programmes and Agriculture related non engineering courses in Colleges of Education and Polytechnics would no longer be required to write the UTME.

Alausa stated that candidates pursuing the National Certificate in Education with a minimum of four credit passes qualify for the exemption. "Candidates seeking admission into the NCE programme, who possess a minimum of four credit passes, will no longer be required to sit for the UTME," he disclosed.

The exemption equally covers National Diploma programmes in non technology agricultural and agriculture related courses. "This exemption shall extend to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non technology agricultural and agriculture related courses," the minister confirmed.

Alausa framed the policy shift as a deliberate effort to drive participation in critical sectors. "It will not only ease the pressure associated with UTME but also encourage greater participation in teacher education and agricultural programmes, both of which are critical to national development," he said.

Despite the exemptions, candidates in affected programmes must still register with JAMB and have their credentials screened and verified before admission letters are issued through CAPS.

The minister also referenced the 2025 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, describing it as a decisive step towards resolving longstanding disputes over welfare and institutional funding. He called on all stakeholders to prioritise execution over policy pronouncements, stressing that the decisions taken at the meeting would have lasting consequences for millions of Nigerian students.