Makeni, 2nd November 2026 – The University of Makeni (UNIMAK) has announced a special admission measure that allows students who failed the English Language in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to gain provisional entry into most of its degree programmes.
The decision was reached during an emergency Senate meeting held on 29th October 2026 in response to the unusually large number of university applicants who did not obtain a pass in English Language.
According to a communiqué issued by the university, candidates who earned credit passes in at least four subjects but failed English will be granted provisional admission into degree programmes across the institution, except for Law and Nursing. The university said separate guidelines for admission into those two programmes will be announced later.
UNIMAK stressed that the arrangement is a one-off intervention aimed specifically at addressing the 2026 WASSCE situation and will not serve as a precedent for future admissions.
Under the new policy, affected students must obtain and submit a pass in English Language by 31 October 2028 for their admission status to be fully confirmed. Students who fail to meet the requirement within the stipulated period risk losing their admission.
As part of the conditions for admission, all affected students will be required to attend compulsory remedial English classes organised by the university. The programme will be led by Andrew Sesay, with support from Sr. Emily Munasia and Sr. Beatrice Ortsenga, who have been tasked with helping students attain the standard needed to pass the subject.
In a further effort to support the students, Senate has directed the university administration to engage the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on the possible reactivation of the UNIMAK examination centre. The move would enable students to resit English Language examinations on campus.
Senate also instructed the Postgraduate School Board to review applicants holding Division Three qualifications on a case-by-case basis and recommend suitable candidates for admission based on demonstrated competence.
The university said the measures reflect its commitment to balancing wider access to higher education with the maintenance of academic standards.
The announcement comes amid growing national concern over this year’s WASSCE results, particularly the high number of candidates who failed English Language, a compulsory requirement for admission to many tertiary institutions.
UNIMAK has assured applicants, parents and guardians that every effort will be made to help affected students satisfy the English Language requirement well before the 2028 deadline.
