The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified the Federal Government’s decision to exempt eligible candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes from sitting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The clarification is intended to help prospective students understand the scope of the policy, which seeks to widen access to teacher education while retaining registration, qualification checks and formal admission procedures.
Under the policy announced by the Federal Government in May 2026, candidates applying for NCE programmes in Colleges of Education who meet the prescribed entry requirements are not required to take the UTME. However, the exemption does not remove the requirement to complete the approved JAMB registration and admission process.
UTME exemption does not mean exemption from JAMB
The Federal Government introduced the policy as part of efforts to encourage more students to pursue teacher education and make use of available capacity in Colleges of Education.
At the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, the Minister of Education announced that eligible NCE applicants with a minimum of four credit passes in relevant Ordinary Level subjects would no longer need to sit the UTME.
The minister also stressed that candidates must still register with JAMB. Their credentials must be screened, verified and processed through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) before admission letters can be issued.
This distinction is important because the exemption concerns the entrance examination, not the wider admission process. Candidates should therefore avoid assuming that they can secure admission simply by presenting school examination results without completing the required procedures.
What qualifications do candidates need?
The announced policy specifies a minimum of four O’Level credit passes in relevant subjects for eligible NCE applicants. Candidates should confirm the subject combinations and any additional requirements for their chosen programme and institution.
JAMB’s published registration guidelines also set out a process for verifying candidates’ O’Level results and submitting applications through designated registration channels.
The board’s guidance requires the relevant results to be checked against information from the examination bodies. Colleges of Education then assess applications and make recommendations through the approved admission system.
Candidates are advised to consult JAMB and their preferred Colleges of Education for the latest registration instructions, verification requirements, applicable charges and programme-specific conditions.
How the admission process works
Although the UTME requirement has been removed for eligible NCE applicants, the admission process remains regulated.
Candidates must complete the applicable registration steps, provide their academic credentials and undergo the required verification. Their chosen institution must then process the application through the established admission channels.
JAMB’s published guidance also explains that candidates who previously applied through the 2026 UTME route and later opted for eligible NCE programmes may need to follow the prescribed process to update or convert their applications.
Applicants should confirm their individual circumstances with an authorised JAMB registration centre or their chosen college before making changes to an existing application.
Exemption is not a blanket waiver for all courses
The policy should not be interpreted as a general exemption from the UTME for every education-related course or every tertiary institution.
The announced exemption specifically covers eligible NCE applicants in Colleges of Education. It also extends to specified non-technological agricultural and agriculture-related National Diploma programmes, subject to the applicable rules.
Candidates seeking admission into universities for degree programmes should not assume that the NCE exemption automatically applies to them. They should check the entry requirements for the particular programme and institution they intend to attend.
The distinction is necessary to prevent applicants from making admission decisions based on incomplete or misleading information.
Why the policy matters
The Federal Government has presented the change as a way to expand participation in teacher education and make admission into NCE programmes more accessible to qualified candidates.
Colleges of Education play an important role in preparing teachers for schools across Nigeria. Increasing access to teacher training could help attract more prospective educators, provided institutions maintain appropriate academic standards and deliver quality instruction.
The policy has also prompted questions about implementation and the need to preserve the quality of teacher preparation. Effective screening, reliable verification of academic credentials and transparent admissions will remain important to achieving its stated objectives.
Removing the UTME requirement alone does not guarantee admission. Applicants must still meet the entry conditions, complete the required registration and obtain an admission offer through the approved process.
Advice to prospective applicants
Candidates interested in NCE programmes should obtain information directly from JAMB or their preferred Colleges of Education before beginning registration.
They should verify the required O’Level subjects, confirm the designated registration channels and ensure that their results and personal details are accurate. Anyone who has already registered for the UTME should seek guidance before attempting to change an application.
Applicants should also be cautious of individuals or unofficial websites promising guaranteed admission or claiming that JAMB registration and credential verification are no longer necessary.
247NewsCheck.com will continue to monitor updates to Nigeria’s tertiary admission policies and report further verified guidance for candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education.
