The Federal Government has approved sweeping reforms to the admission entry requirements for all tertiary institutions across the country, introducing a more flexible and inclusive framework designed to expand access to higher education and reduce systemic barriers.
According to a statement by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, the new policy—championed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa—marks a major shift toward equitable education opportunities under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The reform introduces updated national guidelines for entry into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs), modernising outdated rules that have excluded thousands of qualified students in past admission cycles.
“The policy represents a major stride in promoting inclusivity and driving national development through equitable education opportunities,” the statement read.
Dr. Alausa explained that the overhaul was prompted by years of restrictive admission requirements that failed to reflect the evolving educational landscape. He noted that although over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) annually, only about 700,000 secure admission—largely due to rigid and obsolete entry conditions.
“This imbalance must give way to fairness and opportunity. Our goal is to ensure that capable and deserving candidates are not denied education because of outdated policies,” Alausa stated.
Under the new guidelines, Mathematics will no longer be a compulsory subject for Arts candidates seeking admission into universities. However, it remains mandatory for students in the sciences, technology, and social sciences.
Key highlights of the new national entry framework include:
- Universities: Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, in not more than two sittings. Mathematics is compulsory only for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
- Polytechnics (ND level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses and Mathematics for science-related programmes.
- Polytechnics (HND level): Minimum of five (5) credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
- Colleges of Education (NCE level): Minimum of four (4) credits, with English compulsory for Arts and Social Sciences, and Mathematics required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programmes.
- Colleges of Education (B.Ed level): Minimum of five (5) credits, including English Language and Mathematics, as applicable to the course of study.
- Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs): To adopt the same requirements as Polytechnics for National Diploma (ND) programmes.
The Federal Government also announced the abolition of the National Innovation Diploma (NID), replacing it with the National Diploma (ND) to ensure uniformity, recognition, and credibility across technical institutions.
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has been directed to re-accredit all IEAs in line with the new standards, warning that any institution failing to meet the updated accreditation benchmarks will face de-accreditation.
Dr. Alausa noted that the reforms are expected to create space for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 students to gain admission annually, thereby reducing Nigeria’s education access gap.
“Our young people are the heartbeat of this nation,” he said. “This reform ensures that every Nigerian youth has a fair chance to learn, grow, and succeed. We are equipping them with the education and skills they need to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive education, human capital development, and youth empowerment as core pillars of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
