The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has refuted claims that it has established specific cut-off marks for admissions into Nigerian higher institutions.
In an official statement posted on its X account on Thursday, JAMB clarified that there is no fixed “cut-off mark” for university or polytechnic admissions.
Instead, individual institutions determine their own minimum tolerable scores.
“There’s no such thing as a ‘cut-off mark’ in the admission process to tertiary institutions in Nigeria,” JAMB stated. “What’s obtainable is the minimum tolerable score determinable by individual institutions.”
This clarification comes in response to widespread reports that JAMB had set a cut-off mark of 140 for universities and 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education.
These reports were allegedly based on a statement attributed to JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, during the 2024 Policy Meeting held in Abuja.
The meeting included the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, as well as vice-chancellors, rectors, registrars of higher institutions, and other stakeholders.
At the same meeting, Education Minister Tahir Mamman directed that candidates under 18 years old should not be admitted to tertiary institutions.
This directive aligns with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system and is aimed at curbing the pressure some parents place on their underage wards to gain early admission.
The minister’s announcement sparked mixed reactions among the educational leaders present.
Mamman emphasized that the 18-year age requirement is supported by Nigerian law and should not necessitate further statements from admission bodies.
“Our laws require students to be in school from six years old and remain in primary school for six years, basic education for three years, and secondary school for three years,” Mamman stated. “It doesn’t require a statement of the minister… we are only restating what is in the law.”
Additionally, Professor Mamman highlighted the Ministry of Education’s efforts to incorporate skill development into the curriculum starting from primary school.
This initiative aims to provide alternative pathways for students who may not gain admission into tertiary institutions, ensuring that they acquire valuable skills for their future careers.
In summary, JAMB has denied setting specific cut-off marks for higher education admissions, emphasizing that each institution determines its own standards.
The Education Minister’s directive on minimum entry age aims to uphold existing laws and ensure a more structured education system in Nigeria.
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