FG Approves New Reform For Admission Requirements Into Tertiary Institutions

In a bid to expand access to Tertiary Education, the Federal Government, has approved a comprehensive reform of admission entry requirements into all tertiary institutions across the country.

This is aimed at democratizing access to tertiary education and empowering Nigerian youths towards advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda and promoting inclusive education for national development.

A statement by the Director of Press and Public Relation in the ministry of Education of Education, Boriowo Folasade quotes the Minister of Education,Dr Tunji Alausa as saying that the reform has become necessary after years of restricted access that left many qualified candidates unable to secure admission.

‘Every year, over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), yet only about 700,000 gain admission. This imbalance, he notes, is not due to a lack of ability but rather to outdated and overly stringent entry requirements that must give way to fairness and opportunity.”

Dr Alausa explains that the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards and the new framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs) across the country as follows:

Universities: Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics is mandatory 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 programs.

Polytechnics (HND Level): Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

Colleges of Education (NCE Level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, with English Language mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses, and Mathematics required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programs.

Colleges of Education (B.Ed Level): Minimum of five (5) credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics, as applicable to the course of study.

Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs): To adopt the same minimum requirements as Polytechnics for the National Diploma (ND) program. The National Innovation Diploma (NID) is hereby abolished.

In addition, the National Industrial Diploma (NID) previously issued by Innovation Enterprise Academies will be phased out and replaced with the National Diploma (ND) to ensure uniformity, credibility, and progression opportunities for graduates.

According to the statement, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) is currently re-accrediting all IEAs nationwide to align with the new ND standards.

It also says that Institutions that fail to transition to full accreditation will be de-accredited.

According to the statement, the reform is a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education, creating opportunities for additional 250,000 to 300,000 students to be admitted into Tertiary Institutions each year.

It also says it reflects a firm commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian youth has a fair chance to learn, grow, and succeed, putting the Renewed Hope Agenda into action.

The Minister adds that harmonizing admission guidelines will help reduce the number of out-of-school youths, strengthen vocational and technical training, and align Nigeria’s tertiary education structure with global and industry standards.

He reiterates that young people remain the heartbeat of the nation, and the government is committed to equipping them with the education and skills they need to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to national development.

PR/Nkiruka Okeke