In a recent clarification, the Federal Ministry of Education has dismissed circulating reports that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) would be abolished or made optional for university, polytechnic, or college admissions.

The Ministry insisted that such claims are baseless, and reaffirmed JAMB’s continuing central role in Nigeria’s admission system.

False Reports Spark Confusion

On Thursday, a statement issued from the Ministry of Education, signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press & Public Relations, labelled the rumors as “false, baseless, and misleading.”

The Ministry emphasised that **no directive** had ever been issued to exempt JAMB from the admissions process.

The statement quoted the Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, as reaffirming that JAMB remains “fully operational” and indispensable to the nation’s tertiary education system.

Why the Confusion?

Though the specific false articles in circulation couldn’t be verified, the timing is notable.

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Over the past months, the federal government has rolled out several admission‐related reforms and pronouncements — notably clarifying illegal admissions outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) and pegging a minimum entry age — which may have contributed to misunderstanding or speculation.

What the Ministry Reaffirms

* JAMB remains mandatory in the admission process of all tertiary institutions.

* All admissions must continue to follow due process, with merit, fairness, and transparency as guiding principles.

* Any contrary information should be disregarded unless confirmed via official channels (the Ministry or JAMB).

Related Policies Still in Effect

While denying the abolition rumors, the Ministry continues to enforce key policies meant to regulate and sanitize the admission process:

* Admissions outside CAPS are illegal: Institutions are barred from admitting students outside the Central Admissions Processing System. Violations may attract sanctions or legal action.

* Minimum entry age pegged at 16: The federal government has fixed 16 as the minimum age for entry into tertiary education, describing it as “non-negotiable.”

What This Means for Prospective Students

If you were among those who saw reports saying JAMB was being scrapped or made optional, here’s what to keep in mind:

1. Continue preparing for and registering with JAMB— the standard process remains unchanged.

2. Verify all announcements via official channels— the Ministry or JAMB websites and verified social media handles.

3. Be wary of sensational headlines — it’s not uncommon for misinterpretation of reform policies to lead to confusion.