Candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), according to a new policy announced by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.
The announcement was made on Monday during the 2026 policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in Abuja.
Under the revised guidelines, applicants will now only need a minimum of four O-level credit passes in their school certificate examinations to qualify for admission into NCE programmes in colleges of education.
According to the minister, the reform is aimed at reducing administrative pressure on JAMB and encouraging greater interest in the teaching profession.
“Accordingly, candidates seeking admission into the NCE programme, who possess a minimum of four credit passes, will no longer be required to sit for the UTME,” he said.
However, he clarified that all candidates must still register with JAMB, and their academic credentials will be screened and verified through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) before admission is granted.
The exemption will also apply to candidates seeking admission into certain National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related fields.
Tunji Alausa explained that the policy is designed to balance wider access to education with the need to maintain the integrity of Nigeria’s admission system.
“This approach strikes a necessary balance between widening access and preserving the integrity of our admission system,” he said.
He added that the reform would ease pressure associated with UTME while promoting enrolment in teacher education and agriculture-related disciplines, which he described as critical to national development.
The policy is expected to take effect from the next academic admission cycle.
Alausa also highlighted ongoing reforms in the education sector, including the adoption of computer-based testing across national examinations.
He said the shift reflects the global move toward digitalisation and the need for Nigerian students to acquire relevant technological skills.
“The global shift towards digitalisation is not a distant prospect; it is an immediate necessity,” he said.
According to him, institutions are being encouraged to integrate digital literacy, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies into their curricula to prepare graduates for a modern economy.
“The objective is clear: our graduates must not only possess theoretical knowledge but also the practical skills required to thrive in a modern economy,” he added.
The reform is part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to expand access to tertiary education while aligning academic programmes with labour market demands.
