Programmes in Colleges of Education

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has scrapped admissions into affiliated degree programmes run by Colleges of Education nationwide.

The decision, which takes effect from the 2026/2027 academic session, was announced in the Board’s newly released NCE/ND Agric Registration Guidelines issued in June 2026.

JAMB stated that no College of Education would be allowed to admit candidates into any affiliated degree programme going forward.

“With effect from the 2026/2027 session, no admission into any affiliated programme in any College of Education,” the Board declared.

The examination body also ruled out direct entry into 100 and 200 levels in Colleges of Education, insisting that all prospective students must now be admitted through the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE).

“All entrants are through NCE,” JAMB added.

The move effectively ends a long-standing system that allowed Colleges of Education to award university degrees in partnership with conventional universities.

To mitigate the impact on candidates who had already applied for the programmes, JAMB provided several options, including a free change of institution, transfer to the parent university offering the degree, or upgrading a second-choice institution to first choice.

Candidates seeking admission through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination into affiliated colleges were also advised to either change institution, switch to NCE, or adjust their admission preferences.

JAMB said candidates opting for the NCE pathway would be required to obtain an O’Level verification code and pay a ₦700 registration fee.

The Board further noted that candidates who choose the NCE route would have any ongoing UTME or Direct Entry admission process suspended once recommended for admission.

It also introduced mandatory O’Level verification for all NCE applicants, with fees set at ₦1,500 for one sitting and ₦2,000 for two sittings.

JAMB directed Colleges of Education, accredited CBT centres, and its officials across the country to ensure strict compliance with the new policy.

The development is expected to affect thousands of candidates and signals a major shift in teacher education in Nigeria, reinforcing the NCE as the sole entry route into Colleges of Education.