The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has commenced registration for candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education programmes offered by Colleges of Education.
Registration has also been opened for candidates seeking admission into non-technological National Diploma programmes in agriculture and related fields. Applicants covered by the policy will not be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
JAMB registration remains compulsory.
What Has JAMB Announced?
JAMB has introduced a registration route for eligible candidates who want to study NCE courses or non-technological agricultural ND programmes without writing the annual UTME.
Fabian Benjamin, JAMB spokesperson, stated that candidates with the required O'Level credits may register at designated centres across Nigeria.
The arrangement followed the Federal Government's decision to exempt the affected applicants from UTME.
Which Candidates Can Register Without UTME?
The exemption covers candidates seeking admission into:
- Nigeria Certificate in Education programmes at Colleges of Education
- Non-technological National Diploma programmes in agriculture
- Non-technological ND programmes in agriculture-related fields
Candidates must possess the required O'Level credits and complete JAMB registration at an approved centre.
Is JAMB Registration Still Compulsory?
Yes. Candidates will still register with JAMB even though they will not sit for UTME.
JAMB will use the registration process for:
- Screening applicants
- Verifying academic credentials
- Certifying the submitted records
- Processing admission letters through the Central Admissions Processing System
An applicant cannot rely on the UTME exemption alone. JAMB registration and credential checks will still form part of the admission process.
What Are the O'Level Requirements?
Eligible candidates must possess the relevant O'Level credits required for their proposed programmes.
At the 2026 admission policy meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated that candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education could apply with at least four credit passes in relevant subjects.
The supplied statement does not give a separate minimum number of O'Level credits for non-technological agricultural ND programmes. It states that such candidates must possess the required credits.
Where Can Candidates Register?
Eligible candidates may register at any designated:
- IPRC located at a College of Education
- JAMB Professional Registration Centre
These registration centres are available across Nigeria.
Candidates will present their O'Level credentials and complete the required JAMB registration at the selected centre.
What Is an IPRC?
IPRC means Institutional Professional Registration Centre.
These centres are located within Colleges of Education and have been approved to register eligible applicants under the UTME exemption policy.
What Is a JAMB PRC?
A JAMB Professional Registration Centre is a designated centre where eligible candidates may complete the required registration.
Candidates may use either an approved IPRC or a JAMB PRC.
How Can Eligible Candidates Register?
Candidates may follow this process:
- Confirm that the chosen course is an NCE programme or a covered agricultural ND programme.
- Gather the required O'Level credentials.
- Visit a designated IPRC or JAMB Professional Registration Centre.
- Complete the JAMB registration and credential verification.
- Follow the admission process through JAMB CAPS after the relevant checks have been completed.
Candidates do not need to register for the annual UTME examination under this route.
Which Documents Should Candidates Take to the Centre?
The statement requires candidates to visit the designated centre with their O'Level credentials.
It does not list other documents.
Applicants should rely on the instructions issued at the registration centre for any further registration requirement.
Can Candidates Who Sat the 2026 UTME Change to These Programmes?
Yes. A candidate who sat the 2026 UTME but later decides to pursue an NCE or covered agricultural ND programme may convert the existing application.
The conversion will be completed at a designated registration centre.
Will Candidates Pay for the 2026 UTME Conversion?
No additional charge will be required for the conversion.
This condition applies to candidates who already sat the 2026 UTME and later choose an NCE or non-technological agricultural programme covered by the policy.
Does the Exemption Cover Every ND Programme?
The exemption covers National Diploma programmes in non-technological agricultural and agriculture-related fields.
The supplied statement does not extend the exemption to every National Diploma programme.
Does the Exemption Cover Every College Course?
The exemption applies to Nigeria Certificate in Education programmes offered by Colleges of Education.
Candidates seeking admission into other programme categories should follow the admission conditions attached to those courses.
Why Was the UTME Exemption Introduced?
The Federal Government introduced the policy to widen access to teacher education.
The policy was also meant to raise enrolment in non-technological agricultural and agriculture-related programmes, while JAMB retained control over screening, credential verification and admission letters.
How Will Admission Standards Be Protected?
JAMB stated that it has created an admission process that will admit only qualified candidates.
Applicants will still undergo screening and credential verification. Admission letters will also be issued through JAMB CAPS.
The UTME exemption does not remove the required academic qualifications.
What Did the Minister of Education Say?
Dr Tunji Alausa announced the College of Education UTME exemption during the 2026 admission policy meeting in Abuja.
He stated that candidates with at least four relevant credit passes could apply to Colleges of Education without sitting for UTME.
Such candidates must still register with JAMB so their credentials can be screened, verified and certified before admission letters are issued through CAPS.
The exemption was also extended to non-technological National Diploma programmes in agriculture and related areas.
What Was the Nigeria Union of Teachers' Response?
The Nigeria Union of Teachers opposed the policy.
The union warned that poor handling could weaken the quality of teacher education and reduce professionalism within the teaching profession.
Has JAMB Announced a Registration Fee?
The supplied statement does not state a registration fee for new applicants using this route.
It only confirms that candidates who sat the 2026 UTME may convert their applications at no additional cost.
Has JAMB Announced a Registration Deadline?
No closing date was included in the supplied statement.
Eligible candidates were urged to register at designated centres across the country.
Common Questions About JAMB NCE Registration Without UTME
Can a Candidate Enter a College of Education Without Writing UTME?
Yes. A candidate with the required relevant O'Level credits may seek NCE admission without sitting for UTME.
The candidate must still register with JAMB.
How Many O'Level Credits Are Required for NCE Admission?
The Minister of Education stated that a candidate needs at least four credit passes in relevant subjects to apply to a College of Education under the policy.
Can an Agricultural ND Applicant Register Without UTME?
Yes. The exemption covers non-technological ND programmes in agriculture and agriculture-related fields.
Must Candidates Visit a JAMB Centre?
Candidates may register at a designated IPRC located at a College of Education or at a JAMB Professional Registration Centre.
Can Registration Be Completed Without O'Level Credentials?
No. Eligible candidates must present the required O'Level credentials at the registration centre.
Will Candidates Write the Annual UTME?
Candidates covered by the policy will not be required to sit for the annual UTME.
Can a 2026 UTME Candidate Convert an Application?
Yes. A candidate who sat the 2026 UTME may convert the application to an NCE or covered agricultural ND programme at a designated registration centre.
Is the Conversion Free?
JAMB stated that the conversion would be completed at no additional cost.
Will JAMB Still Issue the Admission Letter?
Yes. JAMB will screen, verify and certify the candidate's credentials before the admission letter is issued through CAPS.
Is Every Agricultural ND Programme Covered?
The notice covers non-technological agricultural and agriculture-related ND programmes.
