The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and the Ministry of Education have exempted candidates applying for Education and non-engineering Agricultural programmes in Colleges of Education and Polytechnics from sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a significant policy shift, exempting candidates seeking admission into Education programmes and non-engineering Agriculture-related courses in Colleges of Education and Polytechnics from sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The board disclosed this update via its official X handle on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions. According to the announcement, the decision aims to streamline the entry process for these specific vocational and professional tracks, with the board stating: “Candidates seeking admissions into Education Programmes and Agriculture non-Engineering Courses are now exempted from UTME.”
During the high-level meeting held in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, further clarified that the exemption applies specifically to those who possess the prerequisite O-level qualifications for their chosen fields. This move is expected to boost enrollment in National Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes and other agriculture-based courses which have seen fluctuating application numbers in recent years. Alausa noted that candidates seeking admission into National Certificate in Education programmes would no longer be required to sit the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination if they possess the required qualifications, signaling a push toward more accessible vocational training.
This new directive represents a departure from the traditional centralized testing model, as the government seeks to differentiate admission requirements based on the nature of the academic institution and course of study. While the UTME remains mandatory for university-bound students and engineering disciplines, this policy grants Colleges of Education and Polytechnics more flexibility in admitting qualified candidates directly. Stakeholders at the policy meeting expressed that the change could help address the shortage of qualified teachers and agricultural specialists by removing the examination barrier for interested applicants who already meet the basic academic standards.
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