The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced a major change to Nigeria’s tertiary admission process, revealing that some candidates applying for Education and Agriculture-related programmes will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The announcement was made during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja. The board also confirmed the update through a statement shared on its official X account on Monday.
According to the new policy, candidates seeking admission into National Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes can now gain admission without writing UTME, provided they meet the required academic qualifications.
Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, explained that candidates with at least four credit passes in relevant subjects would qualify for admission into NCE programmes without sitting for the examination.
However, he clarified that such applicants must still register with JAMB for proper documentation and verification.
The minister stated that although UTME would no longer be compulsory for these candidates, the board would continue to screen and verify their credentials before issuing admission letters through the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS).
The new policy also extends to candidates applying for National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses offered by polytechnics and similar institutions.
According to the minister, the decision was introduced to improve access to tertiary education while still maintaining proper admission standards across institutions.
He explained that the policy would help reduce the stress many students face during UTME registration and examinations. At the same time, it is expected to encourage more students to study courses related to teaching and agriculture, which are considered important sectors for Nigeria’s growth and development.
Education experts believe the move could increase enrollment in colleges of education and agricultural institutions, especially as many students often avoid such programmes due to the challenges associated with the admission process.
For many years, the UTME has been the major entrance examination for students seeking admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria. The latest decision therefore represents a significant change in the country’s higher education admission system.
The annual policy meeting organised by JAMB is an important event where education stakeholders meet to decide admission guidelines for tertiary institutions. Issues such as admission procedures, cut-off marks, and policy changes are usually discussed during the meeting.
The latest development has already generated discussions among students, parents, and school administrators, with many describing it as a positive step towards expanding educational opportunities for young Nigerians.
Observers also believe the policy could help address shortages in the teaching and agriculture sectors by encouraging more students to pursue careers in those fields.
While universities and engineering-related courses will still require UTME, the exemption for selected programmes is expected to make access to tertiary education easier for thousands of candidates across the country.
