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.

At the same meeting, JAMB retained the minimum cut off mark at 150 for university admissions for the 2026/27 academic session following a vote by vice chancellors and heads of tertiary institutions. The board approved 150 for Colleges of Nursing, while polytechnics require at least 100. Institutions can set higher internal benchmarks, particularly for competitive courses such as Medicine, Law, Pharmacy and Engineering.

Among the most significant announcements was the exemption of certain candidates from sitting the UTME. Candidates seeking admission into Education programmes and Agriculture related non engineering courses in Colleges of Education and Polytechnics will no longer be required to write the examination. Those pursuing the National Certificate in Education with a minimum of four credit passes and candidates applying for National Diploma programmes in non technology agricultural courses are covered by the exemption. Despite this, affected candidates must still register with JAMB and have their credentials verified before admission letters are issued through CAPS.

Also announced at the meeting, JAMB disclosed plans to introduce a Bring Your Own Device system from 2027, allowing candidates to sit the UTME on personal computers fitted with anti malpractice flash drives designed to block unauthorised access and prevent cheating during the examination.

Eight tertiary institutions were equally recognised at the event as winners of the 2025 National Tertiary Admissions Performance Merit Award, sharing a total prize of ₦750 million. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, emerged overall winner with ₦500 million, while the University of Jos received ₦75 million as runner up. Kaduna State Polytechnic and Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya, each received ₦50 million as the best polytechnic and the best college of education, respectively.

Alausa framed the cumulative policy decisions as steps with lasting consequences for millions of Nigerian students, calling on all stakeholders to prioritise implementation over pronouncements.

The meeting also marked a significant moment for JAMB leadership, as the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, publicly announced that the gathering would be the last policy meeting presided over by Oloyede, who has served as registrar since 9th August 2016. During his tenure, JAMB remitted ₦20.7 billion in operating surplus to the Federal Government.