The Federal Government of Nigeria, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved new admission rules to make higher education more accessible to young Nigerians. The move, championed by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, aims to widen opportunities for students and strengthen the Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting inclusive learning across the country.
Why the Change Matters
For years, many qualified candidates have struggled to gain admission despite meeting reasonable academic standards. Dr Alausa explained that more than two million students take the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) each year, but only about 700,000 secure admission. This gap, he said, is caused by old and restrictive entry requirements rather than a lack of talent.
The new National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions seek to fix that by updating rules and creating fairer opportunities for students while keeping quality in check.
Updated Entry Requirements by Institution Type
Universities:
Five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, in no more than two sittings. Mathematics is required for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
Polytechnics (ND Level):
Four credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science programmes and Mathematics for science-related ones.
Polytechnics (HND Level):
Five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
Colleges of Education (NCE Level):
Four credit passes in relevant subjects. English Language is compulsory for Arts and Social Science courses, while Mathematics is required for Science, Vocational, and Technical fields.
Colleges of Education (B.Ed Level):
Five credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics, depending on the chosen course.
Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs):
Same minimum requirements as Polytechnics for the National Diploma (ND). The National Innovation Diploma (NID) is now discontinued.
Uniform Standards and Better Opportunities
Under the reform, the National Industrial Diploma (NID) will be replaced by the National Diploma (ND) to ensure consistency and better progression options for graduates. The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) is currently re-accrediting all Innovation Enterprise Academies across the country to meet the ND benchmark. Any institution that fails to meet the standard will lose its accreditation.
This change is expected to allow an extra 250,000 to 300,000 students to gain admission each year. It supports the government’s effort to give every young Nigerian a fair chance to learn, grow, and contribute to national development.
Commitment to Inclusive and Practical Education
Dr Alausa added that the harmonised admission framework will reduce the number of out-of-school youths and enhance vocational and technical education. It will also bring Nigeria’s tertiary system closer to international and industry expectations.
He stressed that young people are central to the nation’s growth and that the government remains committed to giving them the skills and education needed for personal and national progress.
The Federal Government’s new policy reinforces its dedication to inclusive education, human capital development, and youth empowerment, in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
