The Federal Government has introduced a sweeping reform in Nigeria’s admission process, announcing that candidates seeking entry into Colleges of Education for the Nigeria Certificate in Education will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, made this known at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in Abuja.
Under the new policy, candidates with at least four credit passes in relevant subjects can now apply directly to Colleges of Education without writing UTME. However, they are still required to register with JAMB, where their credentials will be screened and processed through the Central Admissions Processing System before admission is finalised.
Alausa explained that the policy, which takes effect from the next admission cycle, is aimed at expanding access to teacher education and tackling the persistent challenge of out-of-school adolescents. He noted that simplifying the admission pathway would encourage more young Nigerians to pursue careers in teaching.
The exemption, he added, also applies to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses, a move designed to promote enrolment in sectors considered vital to national growth while reducing pressure on the UTME system.
Despite the new flexibility, the minister maintained that all admissions must still pass through JAMB’s official platform, warning that any process conducted outside the Central Admissions Processing System remains illegal and will not be recognised by the government. Institutions that violate this directive, he said, risk facing sanctions, including regulatory actions against their leadership.
He further reaffirmed that the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions remains 16 years.
Alausa also commended JAMB for advancing inclusive education through support for Persons Living with Disabilities, including the waiver of application fees and other assistance measures.
Looking ahead, he highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising Nigeria’s education system through the expansion of computer-based testing, improved digital literacy, and the integration of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into tertiary curricula.
The reform signals a deliberate effort to remove barriers to education, strengthen critical sectors like teaching and agriculture, and better position Nigerian graduates for the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy.