Under Tinubu, JAMB’s New Policy Pushes Nigeria’s Education System Toward Disaster

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has set off a firestorm of criticism following its announcement of new admission benchmarks for the 2026/27 academic session, a decision many believe will accelerate the decay of an already embattled education system under President Bola Tinubu.

On Monday, JAMB alongside the Minister of Education Tunji Alausa fixed 150 as the minimum admissible score for universities and colleges of nursing, and 100 for polytechnics. While the board insisted on a unanimous agreement, critics argue this is a calculated move to mask systemic failures and further dilute academic standards.

The outcry is fueled by JAMB’s own catastrophic track record. Just one year ago in 2025, the board confessed to shocking errors that led to one of the worst UTME performances in recent history, with over 1.5 million candidates scoring below the competitive 200 mark. JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede blamed technical glitches and miracle centres at the time, but the body’s credibility and that of the entire education system has not recovered.

The new policy is also mired in contradiction. While JAMB exempts Education and Agriculture candidates from the UTME, a move it claims encourages participation, it simultaneously pushes forward with what many see as a dangerously low cut off mark. Education stakeholder Emmanuel Oji warned that while the 150 benchmark may seem inclusive, it primarily serves as a floor that allows universities to set far higher internal standards, heaping emotional and financial strain on students who will now chase uncertain admission across multiple screenings.

However, the outrage extends beyond the exam hall. Observers argue that President Tinubu’s administration has presided over a systematic neglect of the sector. Despite a significant budgetary increase to ₦3.52 trillion in 2025, funding remains far below UNESCO’s recommended threshold, and analysts point to a leadership in deep disconnect with the educational reality threatening national development.

As millions of Nigerian students look toward a future with fewer opportunities and even lower standards, the nation faces a bleak reality. With educational collapse accelerating under the Tinubu administration, critics say the government is no longer just failing its youth but actively destroying their future.

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