By David Torough, Abuja

The Federal Government on Monday unveiled sweeping reforms in Nigeria’s tertiary admissions and examination system, declaring all admissions conducted outside the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) illegal, while also approving new pathways into Colleges of Education and agriculture-related programmes without the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The Minister of Education, Dr.

Tunji Alausa, who spoke at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, warned that institutions bypassing CAPS would face stiff sanctions, including possible suspension of operating licences.

Alausa stressed that admissions conducted outside the approved framework would no longer be recognised by the government, insisting that the era of parallel admission systems had come to an end.

The minister said the reforms were aimed at restoring credibility, transparency and fairness to the nation’s tertiary education system, while ensuring deserving candidates were not denied opportunities through irregular processes.

As part of the new measures, JAMB fixed 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for admission into universities for the 2026 academic session.

The government also approved the exemption of candidates seeking admission into National Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes from sitting UTME, provided they possess at least four credit passes and register with JAMB for screening and processing through CAPS.

The exemption was extended to candidates applying for National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses in polytechnics.

According to Alausa, the policy seeks to widen access to tertiary education, reduce pressure associated with UTME, and boost enrolment in teacher education and agriculture programmes considered critical to national development.

The minister reaffirmed that 16 years remains the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions, noting that the decision balances inclusivity with academic readiness.

He also reiterated the government’s determination to combat examination malpractice through stricter verification systems, digital reforms and improved collaboration with examination bodies.

Meanwhile, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) announced tougher integrity measures for the ongoing 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), being taken by 1,959,636 candidates across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

Head of WAEC National Office, Amos Dangut, said the council had strengthened its serialisation technology to ensure candidates receive differently arranged questions, thereby reducing opportunities for collusion and malpractice.

Dangut disclosed that the examination, which began on April 21, would end on June 19, adding that more schools adopted the computer-based format this year following the success of the 2025 edition.

WAEC also warned candidates, parents and schools against patronising rogue websites and examination syndicates, stressing that offenders would be prosecuted in collaboration with security agencies.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria yesterday intensified nationwide offensives against armed groups, recording major gains in Niger and Kogi states, while firmly denying allegations that civilians were killed during recent aerial bombardments in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

Defence Headquarters said air interdiction operations carried out by the Nigerian Army UAV Command between late Saturday and early Sunday targeted identified bandit enclaves in Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu and Kuduru villages following intelligence reports of a large gathering of armed bandits at Lukupe Village.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed that about 70 bandits were killed in Kusasu alone, while surviving fighters were seen evacuating corpses for burial.

According to the military, over 200 armed bandits mounted on motorcycles had also been sighted moving towards Zango, with another group reportedly converging near Kopa and Mongoro, allegedly plotting attacks on nearby communities and security formations before the strikes disrupted their movements.

The Defence Headquarters dismissed viral reports alleging civilian casualties in the operation, insisting that the strikes were “precise on target” and based on credible intelligence confirming terrorist presence in the affected locations.

Onoja maintained that residents of nearby communities had relocated to Sarkin Pawa before the operation commenced, adding that post-strike intelligence indicated movements observed after the bombardment were those of fleeing criminal elements rather than civilians.

He, however, said military authorities had directed relevant formations to verify any claims of civilian casualties, while urging the media and the public to avoid circulating unverified reports capable of undermining ongoing military operations.

Meanwhile, troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under Operation TIGER PAW II, neutralised a suspected terrorist during a coordinated ambush at bandit crossing points in the Adankolo Forest Reserve in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Army spokesman, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, said troops acting on credible intelligence engaged suspected terrorists in a fierce gun battle in the early hours of Sunday, killing one suspect while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Items recovered from the scene included two AK-47 rifles, a fabricated pistol, six magazines, 145 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a camouflage bandolier, a Honda motorcycle, mobile phones, power banks, medication and cash.

The Army said troops were combing surrounding forests to apprehend fleeing members of the gang.

The latest operations came barely 24 hours after troops of Operation HADIN KAI reportedly killed more than 50 suspected ISWAP fighters during a coordinated assault on the 27 Brigade Headquarters in Buni Gari, Yobe State, underscoring renewed military offensives against insurgents and bandits across the country.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a phone call with Iraqi Prime Minister-Designate, Ali al-Zaidi, during which Pezeshkian said Iran is ready for dialogue within the framework of international law.

Pezeshkian said that “our problem is that on the one hand, the United States is pursuing a policy of maximum pressure against our country, and on the other hand, it expects Iran to come to the negotiating table.

It expects ultimately that Iran surrendered to its unilateral demands, such an equation is impossible,” a statement published by Pezeshkian’s office read.

He noted that Iran fundamentally does not consider war and insecurity to be favorable options but would not acquiesce to force.

Pezeshkian stressed that Iran must not deprive itself of nuclear technology, saying the United States speaks in a way as if Iran must not have a nuclear industry, and imposed extra pressure on the country by putting forward excessive demands.

He added that in all previous negotiations, Iran was fully ready to provide within the framework of international regulations and global monitoring whatever deemed necessary under international norms to ensure the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities.

Al-Zaidi, for his part, voiced Iraq’s readiness to mediate between Iran and the United States to contain regional crises, read a statement from Al-Zaidi’s media office.

According to the Iraqi statement, the two sides also agreed to exchange official visits in the coming period to strengthen bilateral ties.

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran’s then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior commanders and civilians.

Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.

A ceasefire was reached between the warring sides on April 8, followed by peace talks in Pakistan’s Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which ended without an agreement.