The spokesperson of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Fabian Benjamin, has clarified that the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is not the main factor determining admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Speaking on the Nigerian Television Authority’s programme Good Morning Nigeria, Benjamin addressed ongoing debates around UTME cut-off marks and general admission requirements.
According to him, the most important requirement for gaining admission remains the possession of five O’Level credits, including English Language and other relevant subjects tied to a candidate’s chosen course of study.
“Don’t forget that the UTME is not a major determinant of qualification for admission,” he said.
He explained that the UTME primarily serves as a tool to ensure fairness and transparency, especially when institutions are selecting candidates for highly competitive courses with limited admission slots.
“This examination is conducted. It’s a vehicle through which we can create equity, fairness, transparency,” he stated.
Benjamin further noted that universities still retain autonomy in their admission processes, though they operate within guidelines set by education stakeholders and the Federal Ministry of Education.
He also revealed that Mathematics is no longer a compulsory requirement for some programmes, particularly language-related courses.
“For instance, you want to read Hausa language in a university today, you don’t need mathematics. Before, you must have a credit in mathematics,” he said.
“If you go to London, you want to read Hausa or Arabic, you don’t need mathematics. Mathematics has no area in those programmes. That has been waived.”
Benjamin added that this policy adjustment has helped increase the number of eligible candidates for the 2025 admission exercise.
Elijah Adeyemi
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