Candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes in colleges of education will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who announced this on Monday during JAMB’s 2026 policy meeting in Abuja said the move is designed to ease the administrative burden on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Under the new guidelines, prospective students will only need a minimum of four O-level credits in school certificate to qualify for admission.
The Education Minister explained that such candidates are mandatorily required to register with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
“However, it is imperative to emphasise that such candidates shall mandatorily register with JAMB, and their credentials shall be duly screened, verified, and certified for the issuance of admission letters through CAPS, in accordance with extant regulations,” the minister stated.
Alausa said the exemption would also apply to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses, noting that the policy is aimed at expanding access to tertiary education while maintaining admission standards.
Alausa noted, “This exemption shall extend to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses.”
“This approach strikes a necessary balance between widening access and preserving the integrity of our admission system.
“It will not only ease the pressure associated with UTME but also encourage greater participation in teacher education and agricultural programmes, both of which are critical to national development,” he added
