Minister Debunks Rumor, Reaffirms JAMB as Sole Authority for Tertiary Admissions

The Federal Ministry of Education has dismissed reports suggesting that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is no longer required for admission into tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

In a statement released on Wednesday, October 16, 2025, and signed by Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, the Ministry described the viral publication as “false, baseless, and misleading.” The statement clarified that the Ministry had never issued any directive or authorized any announcement implying that JAMB’s role had been revoked or diminished.

Dr. Alausa reaffirmed that JAMB remains the only legally recognized body empowered to conduct entrance examinations and coordinate admissions into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide. He emphasized that the existing admission process, as established by law, remains fully in effect.

“For the avoidance of doubt, JAMB continues to serve as the statutory authority responsible for overseeing the entire admission process into all tertiary institutions in Nigeria,” the statement read. “Any contrary report should be disregarded in its entirety.”

The Minister also urged the public — especially prospective students, parents, and educational institutions — to rely solely on verified information from official channels of the Federal Ministry of Education and JAMB. He warned against the spread of misinformation that could mislead candidates or disrupt the credibility of Nigeria’s education system.

Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to maintaining transparency, fairness, and merit-based admissions, stating that collaboration with JAMB and other relevant agencies remains strong. He also cautioned media organizations, bloggers, and online platforms to ensure that information from official sources is verified before publication to prevent the spread of false news.

“The Ministry remains steadfast in safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary education system. JAMB’s role in coordinating admissions is central and indispensable. Any publication or online post claiming otherwise is entirely false,” he reiterated.

The Ministry advised members of the public to visit the official websites and verified social media pages of both the Federal Ministry of Education and JAMB for accurate updates and authentic announcements on admission-related matters.

The press statement was signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education.