The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified that the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is not a pass-or-fail test but a ranking mechanism used to allocate limited admission spaces in tertiary institutions.

Speaking at the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN) dialogue, JAMB’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said candidates who possess the required five O’Level credits are academically qualified for admission, while UTME scores are used only to determine who secures available slots in competitive institutions and courses.

He explained that a candidate with a lower UTME score could gain admission ahead of someone with a higher score, depending on the institution’s admission criteria and course requirements.

Benjamin also defended the Federal Government’s decision to exempt candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education from writing the UTME, describing it as a temporary measure to address the sharp decline in enrolment into teacher education programmes. He revealed that many colleges have struggled to fill their admission quotas, with some previously admitting students outside JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).

He added that the newly introduced integrated Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE)-to-degree programme, which allows students to earn both qualifications within five years, is another strategy aimed at attracting more candidates into the teaching profession.

On the minimum admission age, Benjamin maintained that the 16-year benchmark is backed by Nigeria’s education policy and research on students’ cognitive development, although exceptionally gifted candidates may still be considered for admission below the age limit.

The JAMB spokesperson also apologised to candidates who experienced difficulties accessing the board’s online services during the 2026 admission cycle, attributing the glitches to ongoing system upgrades. He announced that the portal for correction of candidates’ personal data would soon reopen but stressed that certain details, including names, age after admission and state of origin where admission benefits have been enjoyed, would not be altered to prevent fraud.

He further noted that the portal for change of institution remains open throughout the admission season, except where institutions request its closure after completing admissions or filling available spaces.