Prospective teachers in Nigeria just got some significant news. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced on Monday that candidates seeking admission into the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The announcement was made during JAMB’s 2026 Policy Meeting in Abuja.
Under the new guidelines, candidates will only need a minimum of four O-level credit passes in their school certificate to qualify for NCE admission. The minister described the change as a move to ease the administrative burden on JAMB and to encourage more people to pursue the teaching profession.
“Accordingly, candidates seeking admission into the NCE programme, who possess a minimum of four (4) credit passes, will no longer be required to sit for the UTME,” Alausa told the gathering.
He was however quick to clarify that the exemption does not remove JAMB from the process entirely. “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,” he said.
The minister also extended the same exemption to candidates seeking admission into national diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses.
“This approach strikes a necessary balance between widening access and preserving the integrity of our admission system. It will not only ease the pressure associated with UTME but also encourage greater participation in teacher education and agricultural programmes, both of which are critical to national development,” Alausa said.
The policy is expected to take effect from next year.
Also announced at the meeting was a push toward the full adoption of computer-based testing across national examinations, with institutions also being encouraged to integrate digital skills, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies into their curricula.
“The global shift towards digitalisation is not a distant prospect; it is an immediate necessity,” the minister said. “The objective is clear: our graduates must not only possess theoretical knowledge but also the practical skills required to thrive in a modern economy.”
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
