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) and to “harness the positive orientation towards the teaching profession”.
“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,” the minister told the gathering.
“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.”
“In the same vein, this exemption shall extend to candidates seeking admission into national diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses,” the minister said.
“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.”
The policy will take effect from next year.
‘An Immediate Necessity’
He also said the adoption of computer-based testing for examinations is part of moves to help students gain practical skills to thrive in a modern economy.
“The global shift towards digitalisation is not a distant prospect; it is an immediate necessity,” Alausa said.
“Accordingly, we are advancing the full adoption of computer-based testing across national examinations, while also encouraging institutions to integrate digital competencies, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies into their curricula.
“The objective is clear: our graduates must not only possess theoretical knowledge but also the practical skills required to thrive in a modern economy.”
