In a recent development, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Nigeria has made a significant change to the admission process for tertiary institutions. During the Policy Meeting held on Tuesday, August 31st, it was announced that the traditional general JAMB cut-off marks for admission into universities, polytechnics, and other tertiary institutions have been cancelled. This decision marks a shift towards a more flexible and personalized approach to admissions.
Individualized Cut-off Marks
With the cancellation of general cut-off marks, universities, polytechnics, and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria now have the authority to establish their own specific minimum cut-off marks for admission. This change acknowledges the uniqueness of each institution and allows them to tailor their admission requirements based on various factors, including the number of applicants they receive.
Varied Cut-off Marks
Different universities have already proposed varying cut-off marks for admission. For instance, Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto suggested a minimum cut-off mark of 140, while the University of Maiduguri proposed 150, and Bayero University Kano set theirs at 180. Other institutions, such as Lagos State University (190), Covenant University (190), University of Lagos (200), and Pan Atlantic University (210), have also established their own minimum cut-off marks.
Admission Deadlines
Although specific deadlines were not firmly set, the board is contemplating a deadline of December 31, 2021, for private institutions and January 31, 2022, for public institutions to complete their admissions process. These deadlines provide institutions with a reasonable timeframe to finalize their admission procedures.
Unchanged Admission Procedure
Despite the change in cut-off marks, the fundamental procedure for admission remains consistent with the current process. Prospective candidates must upload their credentials on the JAMB Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) and receive a recommendation from the institution they applied to. JAMB will then review and approve the candidate’s application. The candidate is subsequently given the option to accept or reject the offer of admission. If an offer is not accepted, the institution can replace the candidate, following prior notification to JAMB.
Key Points to Note
It is important to highlight the following key points regarding the recent changes in the admission process:
- Admissions will now be conducted exclusively through the CAPS platform.
- Institutions are required to upload candidates’ details on CAPS before making any admission offers.
- Each institution has the liberty to admit candidates based on their own institution-specific minimum cut-off scores.
Conclusion
The cancellation of the general JAMB cut-off marks and the allowance for tertiary institutions to set their own cut-off marks signify a shift towards a more customized and adaptable admission process. While the specific impact on students is yet to be fully realized, this change aims to provide institutions with greater autonomy and flexibility in their admissions, potentially leading to a fairer and more personalized approach for aspiring students.