Federal Government Dismisses Claims of Scrapping JAMB for Polytechnic Admissions

The Federal Government has officially denied widespread online claims suggesting that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been scrapped as a requirement for admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

Recent social media posts alleged that the Federal Government had abolished JAMB and authorized tertiary institutions to conduct their own independent entrance examinations. However, the Ministry of Education has now confirmed that these claims are entirely false and misleading.

Government Reaffirms JAMB’s Central Role in Admissions

In a statement issued on Thursday, Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Education, stated that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the viral publication as “baseless and untrue.”

According to the minister, the information circulating on social media did not originate from the Ministry and should be disregarded.

“At no point did the Ministry issue or authorize any statement suggesting that JAMB is no longer mandatory for admission into tertiary institutions,” Dr. Alausa clarified.

He reaffirmed that JAMB remains the legally empowered body responsible for conducting entrance examinations and coordinating admissions into all higher institutions across the country.

“The established admission processes through JAMB remain fully operational. Any contrary information should be ignored in its entirety,” the minister added.

Students and Parents Advised to Verify Information

The Education Minister urged prospective students, parents, and tertiary institutions to rely only on official communication channels of the Ministry and JAMB for verified updates regarding admission policies.

Dr. Alausa emphasized that the Ministry will continue to collaborate closely with JAMB and other relevant education agencies to maintain transparency, merit, and credibility in Nigeria’s tertiary admission system.

“We remain committed to protecting the integrity of the admission process and ensuring that due process and merit guide all entries into higher institutions,” he said.

Warning Against Fake News and Misinformation

The minister also cautioned media outlets, bloggers, and social media users against spreading unverified information that could create unnecessary panic within the education sector.

“Misinformation capable of causing confusion or distrust among students and parents must be avoided. The Ministry will not tolerate false reports that undermine the credibility of the admission process,” Dr. Alausa warned.

He reiterated that there has been no policy change regarding JAMB’s role, stressing that the examination board remains an indispensable part of Nigeria’s education framework.

Government’s Commitment to Fair and Transparent Admissions

According to education analysts, the government’s quick response highlights its ongoing effort to strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s admission system and safeguard it against misinformation.

The collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Education, JAMB, and tertiary institutions continues to ensure a level playing field for all applicants through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) process.

Experts also noted that the federal government’s reaffirmation of JAMB’s authority is a welcome development for parents and students preparing for the 2026 admission cycle, especially as universities and polytechnics begin their academic intake planning.

Reliable Information Sources for Admission Updates

Students are advised to verify all admission-related information directly from the official JAMB website (www.jamb.gov.ng) or the Federal Ministry of Education portal (education.gov.ng) to avoid falling victim to fake updates or admission scams.

Dr. Alausa concluded by assuring Nigerians that the Ministry will continue to invest in digital transformation and policy reforms to improve efficiency in the education sector.