By EgbemaVoice,
The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced a major reform aimed at expanding access to tertiary education across the nation. Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the administration has approved a comprehensive streamlining of admission entry requirements for all categories of tertiary institutions. This initiative, championed by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda and seeks to democratize education while empowering Nigerian youths for national development.
According to Dr. Alausa, the reform was necessary after years of limited access to higher education, which left many qualified students stranded despite their efforts. He explained that over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) annually, but only about 700,000 gain admission. This gap, he said, is not a reflection of the candidates’ ability but a result of outdated entry requirements that have restricted educational opportunities.
The newly revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to ensure fairness while maintaining academic standards. The new framework covers universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs) nationwide. It introduces flexible but credible entry standards that will enable more qualified candidates to gain admission each year.
For universities, the new guideline requires a minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics remains mandatory for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses. This adjustment ensures that students from various backgrounds have fairer access to university education.
For polytechnics at the National Diploma (ND) level, candidates must now obtain a minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses and Mathematics for science-related programs. Meanwhile, for the Higher National Diploma (HND) level, the requirement is five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
In the case of Colleges of Education (NCE level), the reform specifies a minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects. English Language is compulsory for Arts and Social Science courses, while Mathematics is required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programs. This balanced approach ensures inclusivity across the academic and vocational spectrums.
For candidates seeking admission into Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) programs offered by Colleges of Education, the requirement stands at a minimum of five (5) credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics, as applicable to the course of study. This harmonization is intended to ensure uniformity in the training of teachers across Nigeria.
The Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs) are also affected by this reform. The Federal Government has directed that they adopt the same minimum requirements as polytechnics for the National Diploma (ND) program. Furthermore, the National Innovation Diploma (NID) program is officially abolished, and the previously issued National Industrial Diploma (also NID) will be phased out and replaced with the National Diploma (ND).
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has been mandated to re-accredit all IEAs nationwide to align with the new ND standards. Institutions that fail to transition to full accreditation will face de-accreditation. This measure is expected to bring uniformity, strengthen credibility, and enhance career progression for graduates of technical and vocational institutions.
Dr. Alausa noted that this reform would create opportunities for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 students to gain admission into tertiary institutions each year. He emphasized that the move demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to fairness, inclusion, and national progress through education.
The Minister further explained that harmonizing the admission guidelines would help reduce the number of out-of-school youths and strengthen Nigeria’s vocational and technical training system. He added that this alignment would also bring Nigeria’s tertiary education system closer to international best practices, making graduates more competitive globally.
Dr. Alausa reiterated that young people are the heartbeat of the nation, and the government’s priority is to equip them with the right education and skills to maximize their potential. According to him, this reform is part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is anchored on inclusive education and sustainable human capital development.
The Federal Government assured stakeholders that it remains steadfast in promoting inclusive education, youth empowerment, and human capital growth. The Ministry reaffirmed that education remains the bedrock of national transformation, and the new policy is a step toward ensuring that no qualified Nigerian youth is left behind.
Attached to the release is the full National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria, which provides details for each institution type, including universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and IEAs. The document serves as a standard reference for all tertiary education stakeholders and will guide the next phase of admission exercises nationwide.
The press release, signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, underscores that the policy is not just a reform but a revolution in Nigeria’s higher education system. It places education at the heart of national renewal and development, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to give every young Nigerian a chance to learn, grow, and contribute meaning fully to the country’s progress.
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