JAMB admission policy and digital updates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has implemented new policies and digital systems to manage tertiary institution admissions in Nigeria.

JAMB clarified requirements for underage candidates, defined as those under 16 by September 30 of the admission year. While these candidates may sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), they must achieve a score of at least 80 percent across the UTME, post-UTME, and O-level screening to be eligible for consideration. However, final admission remains at the discretion of individual institutions.

To modernize the process, JAMB launched a digital system for home-based O’Level result verification. This initiative integrates the JAMB eFacility platform with examination bodies, beginning with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). The system allows candidates to verify and upload results directly to their profiles using their National Identification Number (NIN), reducing the need for physical visits to Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.

JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin stated that this technology-driven approach aims to make the admission process “faster, safer, and more convenient.” The system is specifically designed to mitigate issues such as the submission of fraudulent or unverified results, manual data entry errors, and the loss or mixing of physical paper documents.

As part of broader administrative updates for the 2026/2027 academic session, the Federal Government has released the admission list for Junior Secondary School One (JSS1) into Federal Unity Colleges nationwide. Approved by Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, the list is accessible via the Federal Ministry of Education’s posting portal and college notice boards. Successful candidates are required to print their admission slips and report to their assigned colleges to complete registration formalities.