Students seeking admission into colleges of education for the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Under the new policy, candidates with a minimum of four Credit passes in relevant subjects can apply directly to colleges of education of their choice.
However, they must register with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation (JAMB) while their credentials will be screened, verified, and processed through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) before admission letters are issued to them.
Education Minister Tunji Alausa announced this yesterday in Abuja during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The policy meeting set the tone for this year’s admission process.
Alausa, who chaired the meeting, said the policy, which takes effect from the next admission cycle, is aimed at expanding access to teacher education and addressing the persistent challenge of out-of-school adolescents.
The minister explained that the exemption would also apply to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma (ND) programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses.
According to him, the move is designed to ease pressure on the UTME while encouraging greater enrolment in teacher education and agriculture, two sectors he described as critical to national development.
Alausa said the decision followed extensive consultations and was designed to widen access while maintaining standards in the education system.
The minister explained that the reform is part of broader efforts to strengthen teacher education and address manpower shortages in the sector, adding that colleges of education have significant capacity to absorb more students, particularly from local communities.
According to him, the policy aims to remove unnecessary barriers while ensuring that only qualified candidates gain admission into tertiary institutions.
“Candidates seeking admission into the NCE programme, who possess a minimum of four credit passes, will no longer be required to sit for the UTME,” he stated.
Credit:Punchng
