The Federal Government has exempted candidates seeking admission into the National Certificate in Education (NCE) program from sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The government said the decision is aimed at expanding access to teacher education.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
Alausa said the decision followed extensive consultations and was designed to widen access while maintaining standards in the education system.
“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.
However, the minister stressed that the exemption does not remove regulatory oversight, insisting that all applicants must still be registered and verified through the nation’s central admissions platform.
“Such candidates shall mandatorily register with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, and their credentials shall be duly screened, verified, and certified for the issuance of admission letters through Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS),” he added.
The minister explained that the reform is part of broader efforts to strengthen teacher education and address manpower shortages in the sector, noting that Colleges of Education have significant capacity to absorb more students, particularly from local communities.
According to him, the policy aims to remove unnecessary barriers while ensuring that only qualified candidates gain admission into tertiary institutions.
In the same vein, Alausa announced that the exemption would also apply to certain National Diploma programmes in agriculture-related and non-technology courses.
He said the initiative is designed to ease pressure on the UTME while encouraging greater participation in critical sectors of national development such as education and agriculture.
The minister also used the platform to restate the Federal Government’s zero tolerance for illegal admissions, warning institutions against bypassing CAPS.
“Admissions conducted outside this framework are illegal and will not be recognised,” he warned.
The minister added that erring institutions risk sanctions, including suspension of licences where necessary.
He further reiterated that the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions remains 16 years, describing it as a policy balance between inclusivity and academic readiness.
Alausa also highlighted ongoing reforms in the education sector, including the expansion of student access through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which he said is aimed at removing financial barriers to higher education.
He stressed that the reforms are anchored on transparency, accountability, and merit, noting that Nigeria’s education system must adapt to global technological and economic realities.
The minister commended JAMB for strengthening admissions transparency through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), describing it as critical to restoring public confidence in the system.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described the policy meeting as a key platform for ensuring fairness and accountability in admissions.
She said the introduction of the National Tertiary Admission Performance Merit Awards (NATAP-M) reflected government’s commitment to rewarding excellence and compliance among institutions.
“As we deliberate today, I urge all stakeholders to remain guided by the principles of fairness, accountability, and national interest,” she said.
(The Nation)
