THE Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has refuted claims of establishing cut-off marks for admissions into tertiary institutions nationwide.
In a statement released on its official X account, the Board clarified that there are no predefined ‘cut-off marks’ for the admission process in Nigerian higher institutions.
Instead, individual institutions determine minimum acceptable scores.
This rebuttal follows widespread reports suggesting that JAMB had set 140 as the cut-off mark for university admissions and 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education.
The statement contradicts an announcement reportedly made by JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, at the 2024 Policy meeting in Abuja, attended by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, as well as vice-chancellors, rectors, registrars, and other stakeholders.
During the meeting, Minister Mamman emphasized that candidates under 18 years old should not be granted admission to tertiary institutions.
While this directive received varied reactions from attendees, the minister highlighted the parental pressure on underage students to secure admission, stressing that the 18-year threshold aligns with the country’s education system.
Mamman underscored the legal requirement for students to be at least 18 years old for admission into tertiary institutions, outlining the educational structure of six years in primary school, three years in basic education, and three years in secondary school.
“Our laws require students to be in school from six years – Yes, there are those who do that from five – and remain in primary school for six years, basic education for three years, and secondary school for three years… It doesn’t require a statement of the minister… we are only restating what is in the law,” he added.
He emphasized that compliance with this age criterion is mandated by law, and admission bodies should adhere to it without necessitating explicit directives.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Education is exploring avenues to impart skills to secondary school students who may not secure admission into tertiary institutions, as articulated by Professor Mamman.
