The Federal Government has scrapped the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) requirement for candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes across colleges of education.
The announcement was made on Monday during the 2026 JAMB policy meeting held in Abuja.
Alausa Announces New Admission Guidelines
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed that under the new policy, prospective NCE candidates will no longer be required to sit for UTME before gaining admission.
Instead, applicants will now only need a minimum of four O-level credit passes in relevant subjects to qualify for entry into colleges of education.
The education reform move has already begun generating reactions in latest Nigerian education news over its potential impact on access to teacher training institutions.
Government Explains Reason for Policy Change
According to the minister, the decision is aimed at reducing the administrative workload on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and simplifying the admission process.
He noted that the reform is part of broader efforts to improve access to tertiary education and encourage more students to pursue teaching careers in Nigeria.
The Federal Government education policy shift is expected to affect admission processes in colleges of education nationwide.
What the New Admission Policy Means for Candidates
Under the revised guidelines, candidates applying for NCE programmes will no longer go through the UTME screening process handled by JAMB.
Education stakeholders say the change could increase enrolment into colleges of education, especially among students who previously struggled with UTME requirements.
The development has continued to trend in breaking news Nigeria today as reforms in the education sector gain national attention.
Education Sector Reform Gains Momentum
The Ministry of Education has in recent months introduced several reforms aimed at restructuring admission pathways across tertiary institutions.
Officials say the latest policy is expected to ease pressure on examination bodies while expanding opportunities for students interested in teaching professions.