The Federal Government has announced that candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes with a minimum of four credit passes will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held at the Body of Benchers, Abuja.
According to the minister, the policy was adopted to expand access to teacher education and harness the admission capacities of Colleges of Education across the country.
“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,” he stated.
Alausa, however, clarified that affected candidates must still register with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), while their credentials would be screened and processed through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) before admission letters are issued.
The minister said the exemption would also apply to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non technology agricultural and agriculture related courses.
He noted that the move is aimed at reducing pressure associated with UTME while encouraging more participation in teacher education and agriculture, which he described as critical sectors for national development.