Many admission seekers across Nigeria remain unaware of a crucial factor that can significantly influence their chances of gaining admission into higher institutions. One of such important considerations in the admission process is Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS).
What is ELDS?
According to our findings, the concept of Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS) is recognized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria as part of efforts to address regional disparities in access to higher education.
Under this policy, certain states are classified as Educationally Less Developed based on educational indices such as school enrollment, literacy levels, and historical access to tertiary education opportunities.
The aim is to promote educational balance and ensure that students from states with historically lower representation in tertiary institutions are not disadvantaged during admission processes.
Why ELDS Matters in Admission
Admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions is not determined solely by examination scores. The process also considers several other admission criteria such as merit, catchment area, and ELDS status.
For candidates from ELDS states, the policy can serve as an important advantage during admission consideration. This is because candidates from these states may be assessed under a special admission category in many federal institutions.
In some cases, the cut-off marks for candidates under the ELDS category may be slightly lower compared to the general merit cut-off used for candidates from non-ELDS states. While this does not guarantee automatic admission, it provides an additional opportunity for candidates who may fall slightly below highly competitive merit thresholds.
Strategic Importance for Admission Seekers
Education adviser interviewed by The Nigeria Education News, Dr. Tosin Joshua from Adeleke University Ede says understanding ELDS can help candidates make more informed and strategic decisions during the admission process.
Candidates who are aware of their ELDS status can better evaluate their admission chances and select institutions or programmes that align with their competitive position. This knowledge also helps students avoid relying on guesswork when making admission choices.
The Nigeria Education News is emphasizing that admission into Nigerian institutions is largely strategic. Candidates who understand the dynamics of merit admission, catchment areas, and ELDS policies are often better positioned to secure admission opportunities.
The 23 States Recognized as ELDS
According to The Nigeria Education News findings and the policy recognized by JAMB and the Federal Ministry of Education, the following states are classified as Educationally Less Developed States in Nigeria:
Adamawa State
Bauchi State
Bayelsa State
Benue State
Borno State
Cross River State
Ebonyi State
Gombe State
Jigawa State
Kebbi State
Kogi State
Kwara State
Nasarawa State
Niger State
Plateau State
Sokoto State
Taraba State
Yobe State
Zamfara State
Akwa Ibom State
Delta State
Rivers State
Edo State
Important Note for Applicants
Another thing to know is that not every institution applies the ELDS policy in exactly the same way. Some universities may consider all ELDS states, while others may prioritize specific states depending on institutional policies or programme competitiveness.
In some cases, the application of ELDS may vary depending on the course of study, especially for highly competitive programmes such as medicine, law, engineering, and nursing.
Understanding the Admission System
Ultimately, gaining admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions requires more than simply writing examinations. Understanding how the system works including merit admission, catchment area considerations, and ELDS status can help candidates make smarter application decisions.
The Nigeria Education News therefore advise candidates to study the admission framework carefully and approach the process strategically rather than applying blindly. With the right information and planning, candidates can significantly improve their chances of securing admission into their preferred institutions.
