FG Scraps UTME Requirement for NCE and Agricultural Diploma Candidates

In a major shake-up of the Nigerian tertiary admission process, the Federal Government has officially exempted candidates seeking admission into National Certificate in Education (NCE) programs from sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The policy change, aimed at boosting the nation’s teaching workforce, also extends to specific National Diploma (ND) programs in agriculture and non-technology sectors.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa, while announcing the reform at the 2026 Policy Meeting in Abuja, made it clear that “freedom from UTME” is not a “freedom from oversight.” All candidates must still possess a minimum of four credit passes and undergo mandatory registration and verification through JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). Alausa issued a stern warning to provosts and rectors, stating that any admissions conducted outside the CAPS framework are illegal and will result in severe sanctions, including the possible suspension of institutional licenses.

Beyond the UTME exemption, the Federal Government reaffirmed that the minimum age for tertiary admission remains 16 years, dismissals of lower age limits being framed as a necessity for academic readiness. To further support this expanded access, the Minister highlighted the role of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in removing financial hurdles for prospective students. These reforms are designed to fill the massive manpower gaps in Nigeria’s basic education and agricultural sectors by utilizing the existing capacity of Colleges of Education.

The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, lauded JAMB’s commitment to transparency, noting that the system is moving toward a more merit-based environment. The meeting also saw the introduction of the National Tertiary Admission Performance Merit Awards (NATAP-M), a new initiative designed to reward institutions that strictly adhere to admission guidelines and demonstrate excellence in academic processing.