By AL-Kadriyar Abdullahi
The Federal Government has approved the exemption of candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education for the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme from writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the policy, stating that candidates with at least four credit passes in relevant O’Level subjects will now be eligible to apply directly to Colleges of Education across the country without sitting for UTME.
Despite the exemption, applicants will still be required to register with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for screening and verification of their credentials before admission letters are issued through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
According to the Minister, the initiative is aimed at expanding access to teacher education, particularly for students in rural and underserved communities, while reducing the pressure associated with the UTME process.
The exemption will also apply to some National Diploma (ND) programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses.
The new policy is expected to take effect from the 2027 academic session.
The Federal Government said the move is part of broader efforts to address the growing number of out-of-school youths and encourage more students to pursue careers in education and agriculture, sectors considered critical to national development.
The government also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening essential sectors through policies that improve access to education and skill development nationwide.
