. JAMB pegs 150 cut-off mark for 2026 admission
.Adopts 16-yr age limit for entry into varsity
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU has warned that the public university system could face another wave of industrial unrest if the Federal Government and state governments fail to fully implement the December 2025 agreement reached with the union.
Speaking at the end of its National Executive Council meeting held at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, on May 9 and 10, 2026, ASUU expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as the “distorted and uncoordinated” implementation of the agreement signed with the Federal Government.
According to a statement issued by ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, on Monday, the union said it had maintained “a studied silence” since the signing and public presentation of the agreement in January 2026.
“This interactive session was called to present the outcome of our review of the implementation of the signed agreement and other outstanding issues following the NEC meeting held at Modibbo Adama University, 9th–10th May, 2026,” the statement read.
The union said it decided to speak after reviewing the implementation process and other unresolved issues affecting university lecturers.
“The momentum generated with the unveiling of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement on 14th January, 2026 is fast waning and may soon be lost if the government’s promise to fully implement the agreement is not kept,” it stated.
In March 2026, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, at a Lagos event declared the era of strikes in Nigerian tertiary institutions permanently over, assuring parents, students, and the general public that universities and polytechnics will remain open for all academic sessions.
Meanwhile, ASUU blamed the situation on the failure to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee, which it said was meant to ensure proper execution of the agreement.
According to the union, federal and state authorities have implemented the agreement in a “distorted and uncoordinated manner”, while only a few state governments have complied.
The union also accused administrators of federal universities of selectively implementing components such as Consolidated Academic Allowances, Earned Academic Allowances, and Professorial Allowances, which it said should have been integrated into the Consolidated Academic Salary Structure.
ASUU further criticised some state governments for allegedly ignoring the agreement despite participating in the negotiation process.
It reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring members benefit from what it described as the gains of the eight-year negotiation (2017–2025).
ASUU also faulted the Federal Government’s proposed National Research Council and the Minister of Education’s announcement of a National Research and Innovation Development Fund.
It said the proposal did not align with the provisions of the 2025 agreement, which recommends “at least 1 per cent of GDP” as funding for research, innovation and development.
The union questioned the proposed $500 million funding structure and its source, expressing concern over possible external borrowing.
On welfare matters, ASUU said several issues remained unresolved, including salary arrears, promotion arrears, unremitted deductions, salary shortfalls under the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, and withheld salaries from the 2022 strike.
Meanwhile, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB has announced that candidates seeking admission into Education programmes and Agriculture-related non-engineering courses in College of Education and Polytechnics will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, on Monday announced that the Federal Government has retained 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
Alausa made the announcement during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja, noting that the decision followed extensive consultations and policy reviews involving key education stakeholders.
According to him, the policy was designed to strike a balance between academic readiness and inclusivity in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
“Following extensive consultations and policy reviews, the government has maintained sixteen (16) years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions,” he said.
Also, the Board and stakeholders in the tertiary education sector have approved 150 as the minimum admission benchmark for universities for the 2026 admission exercise.
The decision was also reached during the 2026 annual policy meeting on admissions into tertiary institutions.
The approved scores, officially known as the National Minimum Tolerable UTME Scores, mean that no tertiary institution is permitted to admit candidates who score below the agreed benchmarks.
However, institutions are free to set higher cut-off marks for applicants seeking admission.
“Candidates seeking admissions into Education Programmes and Agriculture non-Engineering Courses are now exempted from UTME,” the board stated.
In addition, Alausa announced that candidates seeking admission into National Certificate in Education programmes would no longer be required to sit the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME if they possess the required qualifications.
Alausa declared, “Candidates seeking admission into the NCE programme, who possess a minimum of four credit passes, will no longer be required to sit for the UTME.”
He, however, stressed that such candidates must still register with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
“However, it is imperative to emphasise that such candidates shall mandatorily register with JAMB, and their credentials shall be duly screened, verified, and certified for the issuance of admission letters through CAPS, in accordance with extant regulations,” the minister stated.
Alausa said the exemption would also apply to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses.
Alausa noted, “This exemption shall extend to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses.”
According to him, the policy is aimed at expanding access to tertiary education while maintaining admission standards.
“This approach strikes a necessary balance between widening access and preserving the integrity of our admission system.
“It will not only ease the pressure associated with UTME but also encourage greater participation in teacher education and agricultural programmes, both of which are critical to national development,” he added
The development marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s tertiary admission process, as the UTME has traditionally served as the standard entrance examination for admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.
The annual policy meeting organised by JAMB is usually convened to determine admission guidelines, including cut-off marks and other procedures for tertiary institutions.
The move is expected to affect candidates seeking admission into education-related courses and agriculture programmes outside engineering disciplines, potentially creating alternative admission pathways through institutional screening and other qualifications.
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