The Federal Government has exempted candidates seeking admission into the Nigerian Certificate in Education, NCE, programme, who possess a minimum of four credit passes, from sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, announced the new policy on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions in Abuja.
Alausa, however, clarified that all candidates seeking admission into NCE programmes must still register with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, while their credentials would be screened, verified and processed through the Central Admissions Processing System, CAPS, before admission letters are issued.
The minister said the decision followed extensive consultations and was informed by empirical evidence provided by JAMB, which showed that Colleges of Education across the country possess significant capacity to absorb more candidates, especially from their host communities.
According to him, factors such as affordability, proximity, cultural alignment and strong local demand for teacher education make Colleges of Education strategically positioned to expand access to tertiary education.
He noted that harnessing this untapped admission capacity would help address the growing challenge of out-of-school adolescents while also encouraging young Nigerians to embrace the teaching profession.
“In recognition of this reality, the Federal Ministry of Education, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, has taken a deliberate policy position.
“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.
“However, it is imperative to emphasise that 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,” the minister said.
He further disclosed that the exemption would also apply to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma, ND, programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses.
Alausa explained that the policy was designed to widen access to tertiary education without compromising the integrity and transparency of the nation’s admission process.
He stressed that admissions conducted outside CAPS remain illegal and warned that institutions violating established admission procedures would face sanctions.
The minister also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s position that 16 years remains the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions, except in exceptional cases involving specially gifted candidates handled under clearly defined guidelines.
He added that the government would continue reforms aimed at improving transparency, digitalisation, accountability and inclusiveness within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
