New admission policy stops fresh entry into affiliated degree programmes as candidates are directed to NCE or transfer options before deadline.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially discontinued admissions into affiliated degree programmes operated by colleges of education, introducing a major change in Nigeria’s teacher education system.
The decision, contained in the board’s newly released NCE/ND Agric Registration Guidelines for the 2026/2027 academic session, means the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) will now become the only entry pathway into colleges of education.
JAMB stated that no candidate would be admitted into 100 or 200 levels of affiliated degree programmes in colleges of education from the new academic session, insisting that all new entrants must begin through the NCE programme.
The policy effectively ends the long-standing arrangement that allowed colleges of education to run Bachelor’s degree programmes through partnerships with universities.
To assist affected candidates, JAMB provided options including changing institutions at no cost, transferring to the parent university affiliated with the degree programme, or switching to the NCE programme of their chosen college of education.
The board also introduced mandatory O-Level verification for NCE applicants and directed colleges of education, accredited centres, and admission officers nationwide to comply with the new guidelines.
According to JAMB, candidates who choose the NCE route and are recommended for admission will have any ongoing UTME or Direct Entry admission process suspended.
The board said the new policy is aimed at strengthening the structure of teacher education and ensuring that all admissions into colleges of education follow the approved NCE pathway.