2026/2027 Admissions: OPSAN Demands JAMB Suspension, Says NECO, NABTEB Candidates Are Being Marginalised

By Uzo Ugwunze

The Owners of Private Schools Association of Nigeria (OPSAN) has called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the ongoing admission process for the 2026/2027 academic session until the results of all major O’Level examinations are released.

The association made the demand in a press statement signed by its National President, Prof. Uzochukwu Solomon Nwanonyuo, and made available to journalists following a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.

OPSAN expressed concern over the commencement of admissions by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) based primarily on the released West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results, while candidates awaiting results from the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) allegedly face exclusion.

The association noted that a significant number of the 2025/2026 WAEC results, which had been withheld for over a month, were released on Monday, September 21, 2026. However, NECO and NABTEB results are reportedly yet to be released, even as several universities have commenced or concluded their Post-UTME and admission processes.

NECO, NABTEB Candidates at Risk of Losing Admission Opportunities

According to OPSAN, the ongoing admission process places students who depend on NECO and NABTEB results at a significant disadvantage.

The association highlighted that students from technical colleges, federal science and technical colleges, and vocational and commercial schools often rely on these examination bodies’ certificates to pursue higher education.

It warned that proceeding with admissions before the release of the outstanding results could prevent eligible candidates from participating fully in the admission process.

“This is not proper and not justified. Some Federal Universities have already concluded admissions for professional courses while students waiting for NECO and NABTEB have not even had a chance,” OPSAN stated.

The association argued that allowing universities to proceed with admissions without accommodating candidates awaiting other recognised O’Level results undermines equal access to higher education.

OPSAN Appeals to Education Minister, NUC

OPSAN appealed to the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, to urgently intervene by directing JAMB to suspend all admission processes until the outstanding examination results are released.

It also called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to instruct universities across the country to suspend Post-UTME and admission exercises pending the release of all O’Level results.

Furthermore, the association urged WAEC to publish a comprehensive list of candidates who sat for the 2025/2026 internal examinations. It also appealed to NECO and NABTEB to accelerate the processing and release of their results to prevent students from missing admission opportunities.

Association Criticises Preference for WAEC

OPSAN described the situation as a national concern, arguing that Nigeria’s national examination bodies should not be placed at a disadvantage in the university admission process.

The association questioned the continued admission of students based on WAEC results while candidates awaiting NECO and NABTEB results remain unable to compete on equal terms.

It maintained that strengthening Nigeria’s examination institutions should be a national priority and warned that the current situation could undermine public confidence in NECO and NABTEB.

Prof. Nwanonyuo said:

“JAMB granting admission without waiting for NECO and NABTEB is a slap on our national examination bodies. Nigeria at this stage of development should be strengthening NECO and NABTEB, not indirectly making WAEC the only yardstick for UTME admissions.”

He added:

“All O’Level results must be released before admissions commence to give every Nigerian child a level playing ground.”

The association reiterated its appeal for an inclusive admission process that accommodates candidates from all recognised examination systems and ensures that no student is unfairly excluded due to delayed results.

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