Education
JUST IN: FG Removes UTME Requirement for NCE Admissions
The Federal Government has announced that candidates applying for Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed the policy change on Monday during the 2026 policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja.
Under the revised admission framework, applicants to colleges of education will now qualify based on a minimum of four credit passes in relevant O’Level subjects. The UTME, previously a mandatory entry route, has been removed for this category of candidates.
According to the ministry, the adjustment is intended to reduce the operational load on JAMB and streamline the admission process for colleges of education across the country.