The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has unveiled a number of significant reforms that will shape the 2027 admission process into Nigerian tertiary institutions. The new policies affect admission procedures, minimum UTME cut-off marks, eligibility requirements for certain programmes, examination schedules, and future technology upgrades.
According to JAMB, the reforms are aimed at improving access to higher education, simplifying the admission process, and enhancing the credibility and efficiency of its examination system.
Direct Admission into Colleges of Education Discontinued
One of the biggest changes announced by the examination body is the discontinuation of direct admission into 100-level and 200-level programmes offered by Colleges of Education, as well as some agriculture-related programmes.
Under the new policy, candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education will now be required to obtain the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) before progressing through the approved academic pathway. This marks a major shift from the previous system, where some candidates could gain direct admission into degree programmes offered by Colleges of Education.
JAMB Approves New Minimum Cut-Off Marks
JAMB has also approved new minimum admissible UTME scores for the 2027 admission exercise.
The minimum benchmark for admission into universities has been fixed at 150, while Polytechnics will admit candidates from a minimum score of 100. Colleges of Nursing will also admit candidates with a minimum UTME score of 150.
However, the Board emphasized that these are only the national minimum benchmarks. Individual universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions are free to set higher cut-off marks based on their admission policies and available admission slots.
UTME No Longer Required for Some Courses
In another major policy shift, JAMB announced that candidates seeking admission into NCE/Education programmes and selected Agriculture-related courses will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Instead, admission into these programmes will be based on candidates’ Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results, provided they meet the admission requirements. The waiver, however, does not apply to engineering-related agriculture programmes, which will continue to require UTME scores.
The Board believes the new policy will encourage more students to pursue education and agriculture, two sectors considered critical to Nigeria’s national development.
Adjustment to UTME Examination Schedule
JAMB has also introduced a slight adjustment to its examination timetable for the 2027 UTME.
Candidates scheduled for the first examination session will now be required to arrive at their examination centres by 7:00 a.m., instead of the previous 6:30 a.m. reporting time.
The Board explained that the adjustment was made to reduce the inconvenience experienced by candidates who had to travel very early in the morning to reach their CBT centres.
JAMB Plans Major Technology Upgrade
As part of its long-term modernization strategy, JAMB disclosed that it is introducing new technologies to improve the conduct of future examinations.
The Board plans to gradually phase out the physical transportation of examination servers and replace the process with secure flash drive technology for easier and more efficient deployment.
JAMB also revealed that it is working towards introducing a “Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)” examination model in future admission cycles. Under the proposed system, candidates may eventually be allowed to write their examinations using approved personal digital devices under strict security measures.
These reforms reflect JAMB’s commitment to improving the integrity, accessibility, and efficiency of Nigeria’s tertiary admission system while embracing modern technology to enhance the examination experience for candidates nationwide.
