If you are preparing for university, polytechnic, or college of education admission in Nigeria, a few things can shake your confidence faster than hearing that JAMB has been cancelled. The moment such rumours appear online, panic sets in. Some students stop reading. Others delay preparation. Parents begin to worry. Confusion spreads fast.
However, it is important to be very clear from the start. The Nigerian government has not cancelled JAMB. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board remains fully active, and the UTME is still the recognised pathway into tertiary institutions across the country.
Understanding what really happened, where the rumours came from, and what students should do next will help you stay focused and avoid costly mistakes.
Why This Rumour Spread So Quickly
Social media moves faster than facts. Once a message appears in a WhatsApp group or on X claiming that JAMB has been scrapped, it spreads within minutes. Many people forward such messages without checking the source, especially when the message sounds official or uses government-related language.
In this case, the confusion started after a press release circulated online in mid-October 2025. The document talked about changes in admission requirements, including subject combinations and credit pass considerations for some courses. Unfortunately, some readers misunderstood the announcement and jumped to the wrong conclusion.
Instead of seeing it as a reform, many interpreted it as a cancellation.
That assumption is incorrect.
What the Federal Government Actually Said
On October 16, 2025, the Federal Ministry of Education, under the leadership of Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, issued a clear statement to address the growing confusion.
According to the ministry, JAMB remains the statutory body responsible for conducting entrance examinations and coordinating admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions. This means that universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education still rely on JAMB for admission processing.
In simple terms, nothing about JAMB’s legal role has changed.
Students must still register, sit for the UTME, and use JAMB CAPS to process their admission.
Understanding JAMB’s Legal Position in Nigeria
JAMB was established by law, not by policy announcements or temporary directives. As a statutory body, it can only be dissolved or replaced through proper legislative processes, not through rumours or misinterpreted press releases.
Its responsibilities include:
Coordinating entrance examinations into tertiary institutionsManaging admission processes through CAPSEnsuring fairness and standardisation in admissionsMaintaining a central database for candidates and institutions
As long as this law stands, JAMB remains a core part of Nigeria’s education system.
What the October 13, 2025 Statement Was Really About
The press release that caused the confusion focused on admission reforms, not exam cancellation.
These reforms aimed to improve fairness, reduce unnecessary barriers, and align admission requirements with current educational realities. Some of the changes discussed included adjustments in subject combinations and clearer guidance on credit pass requirements for certain courses.
Importantly, none of these changes removed JAMB from the admission process.
Reforms happen almost every admission cycle. What matters is understanding what changed and what stayed the same.
Why JAMB Is Still Central to Admissions
Even with reforms, Nigeria still needs a unified admission system. Without JAMB, each institution would run its own entrance exams independently. That would increase costs, confusion, and inequality.
JAMB provides:
A central examination platformUniform admission standardsTransparency through CAPSData coordination between institutions
Removing JAMB without a tested alternative would disrupt the entire system. That is why the government has repeatedly reaffirmed its role.
How Misinformation Affects Students Directly
Rumours about JAMB cancellation are not harmless. They affect real decisions.
Some students stop studying because they believe UTME will not hold. Others delay registration or fail to prepare documents early. By the time the truth becomes clear, they are already behind.
Parents also suffer. Many start questioning whether to continue supporting their children’s preparation or to wait for “official confirmation” that never comes.
In competitive admission cycles, lost time often equals lost opportunities.
What Students Should Be Doing Right Now
If you are planning to sit for UTME, your path remains clear.
Continue preparing seriously for the exam.Follow only official JAMB and Ministry of Education channels for updates.Ignore unverified messages, screenshots, and voice notes.Discuss changes with trusted education counsellors, not social media commentators.
Preparation done calmly and early always beats last-minute panic.
How to Identify Fake Education News
Education misinformation often follows predictable patterns.
It usually lacks direct links to official sources.It uses emotional language like “breaking”, “finally cancelled”, or “secret decision”.It spreads faster on WhatsApp than on official websites.
Before believing any major education news, ask simple questions. Who released it? When? Where is the official statement? If those answers are missing, pause.
What Parents and Guardians Should Understand
Parents play a critical role in keeping students grounded.
Encourage your child to rely on verified information.Avoid pressuring them to stop preparation because of rumours.Help them focus on controllable actions like studying and registration readiness.
A calm home environment helps students perform better academically.
JAMB Reforms Are Not the Same as Cancellation
It is important to separate reform from removal.
JAMB can adjust policies, review requirements, or update procedures without being cancelled. In fact, reforms are a sign that the system is evolving, not collapsing.
Over the years, JAMB has introduced CAPS, CBT exams, biometric verification, and tighter security. None of these changes removed its role. They strengthened it.
Why UTME Preparation Still Matters
UTME remains the gateway to most Nigerian tertiary institutions. Even alternative routes like JUPEB, IJMB, and foundation programmes still interact with JAMB at some stage.
Your UTME score, subject combination, and CAPS status still matter.
Ignoring UTME because of rumours is a gamble that rarely pays off.
A Calm Reality Check for Candidates
Education systems do not change overnight. Major decisions follow processes, consultations, and official communication. Social media rumours skip all of that.
Right now, the reality is simple. JAMB is still active. UTME is still required. Admissions are still coordinated through JAMB.
Anything outside that statement is speculation.
Final Word for Students Preparing for Admission
If you have been worried, pause and breathe. Your preparation is not wasted. Your efforts still count. Nothing has been cancelled.
Instead of reacting to rumours, focus on what you can control. Study consistently. Get accurate information. Prepare early. Trust verified sources.
When admission season arrives, the students who stayed focused will move forward, while those distracted by rumours will struggle to catch up.
Staying informed is good. Staying grounded is better.
