Awarenessinfohub has gathered that the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a landmark change to the country’s tertiary admission process, exempting candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education and select agriculture-related programmes from writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination [UTME] starting from the 2026/2027 academic session.
The decision was made public on Monday, May 11, 2026, during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja. It was announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, alongside the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board [JAMB].
Under the revised guidelines, candidates applying for the National Certificate in Education [NCE] programme in Colleges of Education will no longer need to sit for the UTME, provided they meet a minimum academic threshold.
Key requirements for exemption:
1. Minimum of four credit passes in relevant O’level subjects
2. Mandatory registration with JAMB for documentation and verification purposes
3. Credential screening and certification through the Central Admissions Processing System [CAPS] before admission letters are issued.
The Minister stressed that the exemption does not remove regulatory oversight. “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,” Alausa stated.
Alausa explained that the policy is designed to unlock the untapped capacity in Nigeria’s Colleges of Education and address critical gaps in teacher training and agricultural manpower.
He pointed to empirical data from JAMB showing that Colleges of Education have significant space to admit more candidates, especially those from their immediate localities. Factors driving this include proximity to students’ communities, cultural alignment, affordability, and local demand for qualified teachers.
“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,” the Minister said.
The government also extended the exemption to candidates applying for National Diploma [ND] programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses. JAMB confirmed this in a post on its official X account, stating: “Candidates seeking admissions into Education Programmes and Agriculture non-Engineering Courses are now exempted from UTME”.
This policy marks one of the broadest adjustments to Nigeria’s admission system in recent years. For decades, the UTME has been the standard entry requirement for universities, polytechnics, and Colleges of Education nationwide.
Education stakeholders say the change could reshape admission patterns for two sectors that have historically recorded lower application numbers compared to competitive fields like Medicine, Law, and Engineering.
The Minister noted that easing UTME pressure will encourage greater participation in teacher education and agriculture, both of which are central to national development goals. It also aligns with ongoing efforts to transition Colleges of Education to a new structure, moving from the existing 3-year NCE and 4-year degree model to a 3-year NCE plus 2-year degree pathway starting from the 2026/2027 session.
During the same meeting, Alausa commended JAMB for its initiatives to promote inclusivity for Persons Living with Disabilities, including the waiver of application fees and other targeted interventions.
“The increasing participation of candidates with disabilities in our examinations and admissions processes is clear evidence that when barriers are removed, potential is unleashed,” he said.
The Minister urged institutions to go beyond access and create learning environments that ensure dignity, support, and success for every learner, regardless of physical or social limitations.
The new policy takes effect from the 2026/2027 academic session. JAMB is expected to release the official 2026 UTME cut-off marks during the ongoing policy meeting.
Prospective students interested in NCE and eligible agriculture programmes are advised to begin preparing their O’level results and ensure they register with JAMB for proper documentation, even though they will not sit for the UTME.
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