May 11, (THEWILL) — The Federal Government has announced that candidates seeking admission into Federal Colleges of Education and selected agriculture-related programmes will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
THEWILL reports that the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed the policy shift on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) held in Abuja.
Under the new arrangement, candidates applying for National Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes who possess the required O-Level qualifications will be exempted from writing the UTME.
According to the minister, applicants with a minimum of four credit passes in relevant subjects can now seek admission into NCE programmes without participating in the examination.
“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,” Alausa stated.
He, however, clarified that the exemption does not remove the requirement for candidates to register with JAMB.
“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,” he added.
The policy also extends to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses in polytechnics and other tertiary institutions.
JAMB confirmed the development in a statement posted on its official X handle during the ongoing policy meeting.
“Candidates seeking admission into Education Programmes and Agriculture non-Engineering Courses are now exempted from UTME,” the examination body stated.
The minister explained that the new policy is aimed at widening access to tertiary education while preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s admission process.
According to him, the move is expected to reduce the pressure associated with the UTME and encourage more young Nigerians to pursue careers in teaching and agriculture, sectors considered vital to national development.
“This approach strikes a necessary balance between widening access and preserving the integrity of our admission system.
“It will not only ease the pressure associated with UTME but also encourage greater participation in teacher education and agricultural programmes, both of which are critical to national development,” Alausa said.
The development marks a significant change in Nigeria’s tertiary admission framework, as the UTME has traditionally served as the standard entry examination for admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country.
The annual JAMB policy meeting is convened to determine admission guidelines, including cut-off marks and procedures for tertiary institutions nationwide.
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