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, announced this on Monday during JAMB’s 2026 policy meeting in Abuja.
Under the new guidelines, prospective students will only need a minimum of four O-level credits in school certificate to qualify for admission.
According to the minister, the move is designed to ease the administrative burden on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)
“There is compelling evidence, including empirical data from the JAMB, that Colleges of Education possess significant capacity to admit willing candidates, particularly from their immediate localities. This is attributable to a range of factors, including proximity, cultural alignment, affordability, and community-based demand for teacher education.
“Harnessing this latent capacity is critical, not only for expanding access but also for addressing the persistent challenge of out-of-school adolescents and fostering, from an early stage, a positive orientation towards the teaching profession.
“In recognition of this reality, the Federal Ministry of Education, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, has taken a deliberate policy position. Accordingly, candidates seeking admission into the NCE programme, who possess a minimum of four (4) credit passes, will no longer be required to sit for the UTME.
“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.”
