The Federal Government has announced that candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes in colleges of education will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, disclosed the development on Monday during the 2026 policy meeting of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in Abuja.

Under the new policy, candidates with a minimum of four O-level credit passes will qualify for admission into NCE programmes without writing UTME.

According to the minister, applicants will still be required to register with JAMB so their credentials can be screened, verified, and processed through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) before admission letters are issued.

“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,” Alausa said.

He added that the exemption would also apply to candidates seeking admission into national diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses.

The minister explained that the policy aims to reduce pressure on JAMB while encouraging more Nigerians to pursue teaching and agriculture-related programmes considered critical to national development.

“This approach strikes a necessary balance between widening access and preserving the integrity of our admission system,” he stated.

The new admission policy is expected to take effect from next year.

Alausa also reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding digital education and computer-based testing across national examinations.

“The global shift towards digitalisation is not a distant prospect; it is an immediate necessity,” he said, adding that institutions are being encouraged to integrate artificial intelligence, digital skills, and emerging technologies into their curricula to better prepare graduates for the modern economy.