The Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has announced a major reform in Nigeria’s tertiary education system to make university and college admissions easier and fairer for young Nigerians.
The new policy, approved by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, is aimed at expanding access to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and innovation enterprise academies across the country. The reform is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on creating equal opportunities for all citizens through education.
Dr. Alausa explained that the change became necessary after years of strict admission requirements that left many qualified students without access to higher education. Every year, over two million candidates write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), but only about 700,000 get admitted. He said this gap is not because students lack ability but because outdated and rigid entry rules have made admission too difficult.
Under the new guidelines, the government has adjusted entry requirements to remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards. Candidates seeking admission into universities will now need a minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics will remain compulsory for science, technology, and social science courses.
For polytechnics, a minimum of four credits is now required for National Diploma (ND) admission, while five credits will be needed for the Higher National Diploma (HND) level. Colleges of education will also require at least four or five credits, depending on the course, with English and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
The new policy also affects Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs), which will now follow the same admission rules as polytechnics for the ND program. The previously used National Innovation Diploma (NID) has been abolished and replaced with the National Diploma to ensure uniformity, credibility, and better job prospects for graduates.
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According to the Ministry, the reform is designed to create opportunities for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 students to gain admission into tertiary institutions every year. The move reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian youth has a fair chance to learn, grow, and succeed.
Dr. Alausa added that harmonizing admission requirements would reduce the number of out-of-school youths, strengthen vocational and technical training, and align Nigeria’s education system with global standards. He emphasized that young people remain the heart of the nation’s future, and the government is determined to provide them with the skills and knowledge needed to reach their full potential.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its dedication to inclusive education, human capital development, and youth empowerment, saying the new admission policy represents another step toward achieving the Renewed Hope vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The new admission guidelines are expected to take effect immediately, marking a turning point in Nigeria’s education system and giving more young Nigerians a chance to access quality tertiary education.
