The Federal Government has warned tertiary institutions against conducting admissions outside the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Central Admissions Processing System, CAPS, declaring such admissions illegal and punishable by sanctions, including possible suspension of operating licences.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, issued the warning on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja.
The minister said the government would no longer tolerate parallel admission systems that undermine transparency, merit and accountability in Nigeria’s education sector.
“Admissions conducted outside this framework are illegal and will not be recognized,” Alausa said.
“I have resisted many attempts at condoning illegality in the admissions process. I will not be a party to such actions.”
He warned that institutions found violating the policy would face strict regulatory action.
“Any institution found to have conducted admissions outside the CAPS will be held accountable, and appropriate sanctions shall be applied without hesitation,” he added.
The minister also confirmed that the Federal Government had retained 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions nationwide.
According to him, the decision followed consultations and policy reviews aimed at balancing inclusiveness with academic preparedness.
Despite retaining the age limit, Alausa acknowledged that some exceptionally gifted students may still require special consideration.
Broader Reforms: UTME exemption for some programmes
As part of broader reforms, the government announced that candidates applying for the Nigeria Certificate in Education, NCE, with at least four credit passes would no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.
The waiver will also apply to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non-technology, agricultural and agriculture-related courses.
However, affected candidates must still register with Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board for screening and admission processing through CAPS.
The minister described the move as part of efforts to improve access to higher education, strengthen teacher training and encourage interest in agriculture-related disciplines.
FG highlights ongoing education sector developments
Alausa also outlined ongoing reforms in the education sector, including the rollout of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, which provides interest-free student loans for tuition and upkeep.
He said the programme was intended to remove financial barriers preventing qualified Nigerians from accessing higher education.
The minister further disclosed that the government was pursuing the digitalization of national examinations and integrating artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into tertiary institution curricula.
On university industrial relations, he commended the recent agreement reached between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, saying the 2025 pact would improve staff welfare, strengthen research funding and reduce disruptions to academic calendars.
Alausa also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling examination malpractice through stronger verification systems and collaboration among education regulatory bodies.
He praised JAMB for deploying technology to improve transparency and data integrity in the admissions process.
“We are called upon to build a tertiary education system that is accessible yet rigorous, inclusive yet merit-driven, and innovative yet firmly grounded in accountability and excellence,” the minister stated.
