- Cracks down on illegal admissions
The Federal Government has declared war on illegal admissions into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, warning universities, polytechnics and colleges of education that any admission conducted outside the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) would be treated as unlawful and attract stiff sanctions, including possible suspension of operating licences.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, issued the warning on Monday in Abuja, while delivering his address at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions.
In a sweeping policy speech that signaled a new era of strict compliance, accountability and digital reforms in the education sector, the minister insisted that the federal government would no longer tolerate parallel admission systems capable of undermining merit, transparency and public trust.
“Admissions conducted outside this framework are illegal and will not be recognised,” Alausa declared.
He added: “I have resisted many attempts at condoning illegality in the admissions process. I will not be a party to such actions.”
The minister warned that heads of institutions found violating the policy would face severe regulatory consequences.
“Any institution found to have conducted admissions outside the CAPS will be held accountable, and appropriate sanctions shall be applied without hesitation,” he said.
Alausa also announced that the Federal government has retained 16 years as the minimum admission age into tertiary institutions across the country, following what he described as extensive consultations and policy reviews.
According to him, the decision is aimed at balancing inclusivity with academic readiness, even as he acknowledged the existence of exceptionally gifted students.