ABUJA — In a landmark policy shift aimed at boosting enrollment in critical national sectors, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that candidates seeking admission into Education programmes and Agriculture non-engineering courses will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The announcement, made Monday during the ongoing 2026 JAMB Policy Meeting in Abuja, has sent ripples across Nigeria’s education landscape, with stakeholders describing it as a “major step towards improving access to tertiary education and promoting national development.”
What the New Policy Means
According to JAMB’s official statement released via its X (formerly Twitter) handle:
“Candidates seeking admissions into Education Programmes and Agriculture non-Engineering Courses are now exempted from UTME.”
The exemption applies specifically to:
- All Education programmes leading to the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degrees in Colleges of Education and Universities
- Agriculture-related courses that are not engineering-based, including Agricultural Extension, Crop Science, Animal Production, and Fisheries, offered in Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Agriculture
However, JAMB has clarified that exempted candidates must still register with the Board. Their credentials will be “duly screened, verified, and certified for the issuance of admission letters through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), in accordance with extant regulations.”
Government’s Rationale: Addressing Critical Shortages
Speaking on the policy, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, explained that the reform seeks to strike “a necessary balance between widening access and preserving the integrity of our admission system.”
“It will not only ease the pressure associated with UTME but also encourage greater participation in teacher education and agricultural programmes, both of which are critical to national development,” Alausa added.
The policy follows the Federal Government’s earlier decision to scrap UTME as a requirement for admission into NCE programmes in Colleges of Education. The exemption has now been extended to cover relevant Agriculture courses at the National Diploma (ND) level in Polytechnics.
What Candidates Need to Know
JAMB has advised prospective applicants to take note of the following:
🔹 Registration is still mandatory: Exempted candidates must register with JAMB and undergo credential screening via CAPS
🔹 O’Level requirements remain unchanged: Candidates must still possess a minimum of four credit passes, including English Language and relevant subjects, at the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) or its equivalent
🔹 Engineering courses excluded: Agriculture programmes with engineering components—such as Agricultural Engineering, Food Engineering, and Bio-Resources Engineering—still require UTME
🔹 Institutional guidelines apply: Individual universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education may set additional admission criteria. Candidates are advised to check directly with their preferred institutions
Next Steps: Implementation Timeline
JAMB has indicated that detailed operational guidelines for the new policy will be communicated “in due course” through its official channels. The Board is expected to:
- Publish a comprehensive list of exempted courses by institution
- Issue updated admission guidelines to all tertiary institutions
- Launch a dedicated portal for registration and screening of exempted candidates
- Conduct sensitisation workshops for guidance counsellors and school administrators
Broader Implications for Nigeria’s Education Sector
Analysts view this policy as part of a wider effort to reform Nigeria’s tertiary admission system. With over 1.8 million candidates registering for UTME in 2026, the exemption could significantly reduce examination pressure while redirecting talent toward priority sectors.
If successful, the model could be extended to other strategic fields—such as Health Technology, Environmental Sciences, and Vocational Studies—where national manpower needs remain unmet.
Advice for Prospective Students
Education counsellors recommend that candidates:
📌 Visit the official JAMB website (www.jamb.gov.ng) for verified updates
📌 Confirm course eligibility with their chosen institution before applying
📌 Prepare all O’Level and supporting documents for CAPS screening
📌 Avoid relying on unverified social media reports about admission procedures
