*Says students awaiting NECO and NABTEB results 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 2026/2027 university admission process pending the release of all O-Level examination results.
The demand was contained in a press statement signed by OPSAN National President, Prof. Uzochukwu Solomon Nwanonyuo, following a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.
The association described it as unfair and unjust that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has commenced admissions based solely on WAEC results. In contrast, other major examination results remain outstanding.
OPSAN expressed concern that a significant portion of 2025/2026 WAEC results—held back for over a month—were only released on Monday, 21 September 2026.
Furthermore, the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) have yet to publish results, even as several universities have begun or concluded their Post-UTME screening and admission exercises.
The group highlighted that many candidates rely exclusively on NECO and NABTEB qualifications for tertiary admission, particularly those from technical colleges, vocational centres, and commercial schools. Proceeding with admissions without these results effectively excludes these students from consideration.
“This practice is improper and unjustifiable. Several federal universities have already concluded admissions for professional courses before candidates awaiting NECO and NABTEB results have even had an opportunity to apply,” OPSAN stated.
Consequently, the association appealed to the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, to intervene urgently by directing JAMB to pause all admission procedures.
It also urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to instruct universities nationwide to suspend Post-UTME admissions until all O-Level results are made available.
Additionally, OPSAN called on WAEC to publish a comprehensive list of all candidates who sat the 2025/2026 internal examinations, while urging NECO and NABTEB to expedite the release of their results so that no student is left behind.
Describing the current situation as an administrative failure, the association warned against marginalising indigenous examination bodies in favour of WAEC, a regional institution. According to OPSAN, prioritising WAEC results weakens national bodies and signals that NECO and NABTEB are secondary.
“Allowing JAMB admissions to proceed without NECO and NABTEB results undermines our national examination bodies. At this stage of national development, Nigeria should be strengthening NECO and NABTEB, rather than positioning WAEC as the sole benchmark for UTME admissions.
All O-Level results must be released before admissions commence to ensure a level playing field for every Nigerian child,” Prof. Nwanonyuo concluded.
