The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a major adjustment to Nigeria’s tertiary admission requirements, stating that candidates applying for Education programmes and non-engineering Agriculture courses in colleges of education and polytechnics will no longer be required to sit the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The development was disclosed on Monday, May 11, 2026, in a statement posted via the board’s official X handle during its ongoing 2026 admissions policy meeting in Abuja.
According to the announcement, applicants targeting Education-related courses and Agriculture programmes outside engineering disciplines are now exempted from taking the UTME, marking a notable shift in the country’s admission structure.
Further clarification came from the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, who spoke at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions.
He explained that candidates seeking admission into the National Certificate in Education (NCE) programme will also benefit from the new arrangement, provided they meet basic academic requirements.
He stated that prospective NCE students with at least four credit passes in relevant subjects will no longer need to sit for the UTME.
However, the minister emphasised that the exemption does not remove JAMB from the process. All candidates under the new arrangement must still register with the board, undergo credential screening, and have their qualifications verified before admission letters are issued.
He further explained that admission processing will continue through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), which remains the official channel for approving and documenting admissions.
The policy also extends to National Diploma applicants in non-technology agriculture and related fields, widening the scope of beneficiaries under the revised framework.
According to Alausa, the reform is designed to improve access to tertiary education while preserving academic standards.
He noted that it strikes a balance between expanding opportunities for admission and maintaining the integrity of the system.
He added that the change is also expected to reduce the pressure associated with UTME participation while encouraging more students to pursue careers in teaching and agriculture, two sectors considered vital to national development.
This marks a significant departure from the long-standing practice where the UTME served as the compulsory entry examination for admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria.
The annual policy meeting organised by JAMB traditionally determines admission guidelines, including cut-off marks and related procedures for tertiary institutions. This year’s meeting is also expected to finalize the 2026 UTME cut-off marks.
