FG exempts colleges of education applicants from UTME

The federal government has announced that candidates seeking admission into colleges of education will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), beginning from next year.

Speaking on Monday in Abuja during the admission policy meeting for the 2026 UTME, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said candidates with a minimum of four credit passes in relevant subjects can now apply directly for admission into National Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes.

Alausa explained that although UTME will no longer be mandatory for such candidates, they must still register with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for credential screening and verification through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).

“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,” the minister said.

“However, 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.”

The minister said the decision followed evidence showing that colleges of education have the capacity to absorb more candidates, especially from their host communities.

“There is compelling evidence, including empirical data from the JAMB, that colleges of education possess significant capacity to admit willing candidates, particularly from their immediate localities,” he said.

“This is attributable to a range of factors, including proximity, cultural alignment, affordability, and community-based demand for teacher education.”