JAMB Opens Registration for NCE, Agricultural ND Courses Without UTME in 2026
- JAMB announced that candidates applying for NCE and non-technological agricultural ND programmes do not need to sit the UTME
- Eligible candidates only need to visit a designated registration centre with their O'Level credentials to complete the process
- The Nigeria Union of Teachers raised concerns about the policy, warning it could affect standards in teacher education
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Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering basic and tertiary education in Nigeria and worldwide
FCT, Abuja - The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has opened registration for candidates seeking places in Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes and non-technological National Diploma courses in agriculture-related fields, with no requirement to sit the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin said the process follows a Federal Government decision to exempt these categories of applicants from the annual examination.
Source: Facebook
As reported by The Punch, Benjamin confirmed the development in a statement released on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
How eligible candidates can register
Benjamin said applicants who hold the required O'Level credits can walk into any Institutional Professional Registration Centre in a college of education or any JAMB Professional Registration Centre across the country to complete their registration.
"Under this policy, eligible candidates only need to visit any designated IPRC or JAMB PRC with their O'Level credentials to complete their registration. There is no requirement to sit for the annual UTME."
He added that candidates who already sat the 2026 UTME but later chose to pursue NCE or non-technological agricultural programmes could convert their applications at any of the designated centres at no extra cost.
Background to the Policy
The exemption was announced in May by Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa at the 2026 admission policy meeting in Abuja.
He said candidates with at least four credit passes in relevant subjects could apply to colleges of education without taking the UTME, though they would still need to register with JAMB for screening, verification and credential certification before admission letters are issued through the Central Admissions Processing System.
Alausa extended the same exemption to candidates applying for National Diploma programmes in non-technological agricultural courses, describing the move as a deliberate effort to grow enrolment in those fields.
Benjamin echoed that position, saying JAMB has put an admission process in place to ensure only qualified candidates gain entry while maintaining the standards of the affected programmes.
However, the Nigeria Union of Teachers opposed the policy, warning that poor implementation could weaken the quality of teacher education and erode professionalism in the teaching workforce.
Source: Facebook
JAMB speaks on UTME candidates’ backdoor admissions
Recall that JAMB declared that any admission not processed through its CAPS portal and backed by an official admission letter is illegal.
The JAMB registrar warned that candidates admitted above a programme's approved carrying capacity will not appear on the matriculation list.
The agency cautioned admission seekers against careless handling of SIM cards, describing them as critical identity tools in Nigeria's exam system.
Sowore: What will happen to JAMB
Meanwhile, Legit.ng also reported that Omoyele Sowore vowed to abolish JAMB if elected in the 2027 elections.
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) proposed a transparent, merit-based admission system for tertiary institutions.
Sowore planned a two-year National Job Corps to replace the current NYSC, focused on job creation and skills development.
Source: Legit.ng
