Ahead of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) 2026 policy meeting, scheduled for 11 May 2026, a teacher has penned an open letter to the examination body and the Federal Ministry of Education. The letter, which has gone viral on social media, addresses the issue of declining admission cut-off marks for tertiary institutions.
Teacher Appeals to JAMB Over Admission Standards
The teacher, identified as @MaomahuO on social media, tagged JAMB's official handle, its spokesperson, and the Federal Ministry of Education in the open letter. The title of the letter reads: 'AN OPEN LETTER TO @JAMBHQ, @FabianB58246501 AND THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION @NigEducation. A CALL TO RESTORE STANDARDS IN NIGERIA’S ADMISSION SYSTEM.'
Concerns Over Lowered Cut-Off Marks
In the letter, the teacher expressed deep concern about the continuous lowering of admissible cut-off marks for tertiary institutions. He noted that university admission scores are often pegged at 150 or below, while Colleges of Education accept scores as low as 100. He warned that such policies damage the integrity and quality of Nigeria's education system.
'Education is the foundation upon which national development is built. When standards are compromised at the point of entry, the consequences ripple across every sector, producing graduates who may be certified but lack the competence required to function effectively,' the teacher wrote.
Impact on Teacher Training
The teacher highlighted that Colleges of Education, which train future teachers, now admit candidates with significantly lower scores. He argued that teaching should attract bright minds, not accommodate academic mediocrity. 'About a decade ago, admission into Colleges of Education was competitive, with candidates scoring 187, 189, and above. Today, the narrative has shifted drastically,' he added.
He also pointed out inconsistencies across sectors, noting that Colleges of Nursing often require higher cut-off marks, around 180. This raises questions about why the teaching profession is subjected to lower standards than other critical fields.
Call for Review
The teacher urged JAMB and the Federal Ministry of Education to reconsider the current admission benchmarks. He emphasized that raising cut-off marks, especially for Colleges of Education, would restore credibility and reaffirm the nation's commitment to excellence.
'Access to education is important, but it must not come at the expense of quality. Instead of lowering standards, efforts should be directed toward improving foundational education, providing adequate learning resources, and supporting students to meet higher academic expectations,' he stated.
The letter concluded with a warning: 'Nigeria cannot afford to gamble with the quality of its human capital. The time to act is now.'
Background
JAMB's 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions is set to hold on 11 May 2026 in Abuja. The meeting will bring together key stakeholders to determine minimum UTME cut-off marks and other admission guidelines for the 2026/2027 academic session.
