The Federal Government has approved a major overhaul of admission entry requirements for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria, introducing a more flexible and inclusive system aimed at broadening access to higher education. The decision follows the adoption of new national guidelines for tertiary admissions, as announced in a statement by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to the ministry, the policy, driven by Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, is designed to democratize access to higher learning and empower Nigerian youths in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. It described the reform as a significant step toward inclusivity and national development through equitable educational opportunities.
Dr. Alausa explained that the changes were necessary after years of restrictive admission policies that excluded many qualified candidates, even when they met academic standards. He noted that although over two million candidates take the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) each year, only about 700,000 gain admission, mainly due to outdated and rigid entry rules rather than lack of ability. The new guidelines aim to correct this imbalance and ensure fairness in admissions.
Under the revised policy, entry requirements have been updated for universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs), while maintaining academic integrity. Key changes include allowing arts students to be exempt from compulsory mathematics at the university level and setting clearer subject requirements for each institution type.
The government also abolished the National Innovation Diploma (NID) previously awarded by IEAs, replacing it with the National Diploma (ND) for uniformity. The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has been directed to re-accredit all IEAs to meet the new standards or face de-accreditation.
The reform is expected to enable an additional 250,000 to 300,000 students to gain admission each year. Dr. Alausa emphasized that the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to inclusive education, youth empowerment, and human capital development, ensuring that every Nigerian youth has a fair opportunity to learn, thrive, and contribute to the nation’s progress.