← Return to Admissions News Feed

JAMB Published: May 12, 2026 • By Emmanuel Iweh

New JAMB Policy Exempts Education and Agriculture Candidates from UTME Restrictions

New JAMB Policy Exempts Education and Agriculture Candidates from UTME Restrictions

"As part of the 2026 policy review, JAMB has introduced special considerations for candidates applying for Education and Agriculture courses."

During the 2026 Policy Meeting held on May 11, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board announced a significant shift in its approach to admissions for critical sectors of the Nigerian economy. In an effort to encourage enrollment in Education and Agriculture-related programs, the board has introduced specific exemptions for candidates seeking these degrees. This policy is designed to bolster the number of students entering these vital fields, which have seen varying levels of interest in recent years.

While the UTME remains a standard requirement, the new guidelines provide a more flexible framework for institutional admission processes for these candidates. The initiative aims to address the shortage of qualified professionals in the agricultural and pedagogical sectors. By reducing barriers to entry, JAMB hopes to incentivize high-performing students to choose these developmental career paths.

Candidates intending to benefit from these special considerations must still ensure they meet the minimum entry requirements set by their specific universities. Prospective students are advised to check their respective school’s portal for details on how these exemptions are applied during their internal screening processes. Staying informed through official channels like the JAMB portal is essential for candidates to take advantage of this new policy shift for the 2026/2027 session.

Official Source Reference: https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/clypznnjmdvo

Calculate Your 2026 University Aggregate Score

Check your admission chances across UNILAG, LASU, UI, OAU, FUTA, UNIBEN, and 50+ Nigerian institutions with CampusAI's official formula engine.

Calculate Aggregate Score Now →

🎓 CampusAI Nigeria — You are viewing the static non-JavaScript version. Complete article content is available below. Enable JavaScript for interactive aggregate calculators and live chat.

Nigeria's #1 AI Admission Strategist

JAMB 2026 Aggregate Calculator & Admission Portal

Calculate your precise admission screening aggregate score for Nigerian federal, state, and private universities. Access verified institutional cutoff marks for UNILAG, UI, LASU, OAU, UNIBEN, FUTA, and ABU, check compulsory JAMB subject combinations, and forecast your admission probability with CampusAI.

Core Interactive Tools & Portals

How Nigerian University Aggregate Scores Are Calculated

Most Nigerian universities determine admission eligibility using a weighted aggregate formula combining your JAMB UTME score (scaled out of 50%), Post-UTME screening score (scaled out of 30%), and best 5 O-Level SSCE grades (scaled out of 20%). For instance, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) uses a strict 50:30:20 ratio. Other institutions such as Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) use a 50:50 ratio between JAMB and Post-UTME.

CampusAI automates these institutional formulas instantly while validating your mandatory subject combinations against official JAMB brochure rules to prevent candidate disqualification.