FG Scraps UTME Requirement for College of Education Candidates

 In a major policy shift aimed at boosting enrollment in teacher education, the Federal Government has officially exempted candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education from sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the directive on Monday during the 2026 Admissions Policy Meeting organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja. 

Candidates with a minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects at the O’Level (WAEC, NECO, etc.) are now eligible to apply directly to Colleges of Education.

The traditional UTME requirement is waived for these candidates, allowing for a more streamlined entry process into National Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes.

CAPS Integration: Despite the exemption from the national exam, the Minister clarified that all admissions must still be processed and verified through JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) to maintain transparency and official records.

The move is designed to address the declining interest in teaching professions and to fill the massive vacancies in the country’s primary and basic education sectors. 

Prospective students who previously felt hindered by the UTME process can now transition directly into teacher training, provided they meet the basic subject requirements for their chosen course of study.

The Minister emphasized that this reform is part of a broader strategy to revitalize the education sector by ensuring a steady pipeline of qualified educators for Nigerian schools.