The Federal University Dutse (FUD), Jigawa State, has clarified a recent circular on concessional passes after a memo announcing a 25-mark minimum for such passes sparked controversy online.
The university stated on Monday that the concessional pass policy does not apply to all students. According to the university spokesperson, Abdullahi Anaka, the policy is specifically for final-year students who fail a single course in their final year. He emphasized that the 25 marks referenced in the memo do not reflect the university’s official pass mark, contrary to social media interpretations.
“The concessional pass applies only to final-year students who have failed one course and wish to be considered for a waiver,” Mr. Anaka told PREMIUM TIMES. He further explained that FUD operates under the regulation of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and therefore adheres to the commission’s prescribed pass marks.
The controversial memo, signed by Bappa Shamsudeen on behalf of the Registrar, was issued following the university senate’s 73rd extraordinary meeting on 23 December. The circular addressed concerns that some students were skipping lectures, refusing to write Continuous Assessment (CA) tests, or avoiding examinations under the assumption that they would automatically qualify for a concessional pass.
“This behaviour contravenes Senate guidelines and undermines academic standards,” the circular stated. “Henceforth, students should note that effective from the 2025/2026 academic session, only students who score 25 marks and above will be considered for a concessional pass.”
The memo’s release triggered criticism online, with some social media users accusing the university of lowering academic standards. The university, however, maintains that the policy is targeted, merit-based, and in line with regulatory guidelines.
