Important Highlights
FG has waived UTME for NCE and a few agriculture ND programs.
- 4 credit score passes can open NCE admission.
- Eligible agriculture ND candidates additionally get the waiver.
- All candidates should nonetheless register with JAMB.
- Admissions outdoors CAPS stay invalid.
Learn on for the complete UTME waiver particulars.
The Federal Authorities has eliminated UTME as a requirement for some candidates who need admission into Nigeria Certificates in Schooling programmes and chosen Nationwide Diploma programs in agriculture.
The brand new UTME waiver covers NCE candidates and candidates going for Nationwide Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related fields.
Schooling Minister Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa introduced the coverage on Monday on the opening of the 2026 Coverage Assembly on Admissions to Tertiary Faculties in Nigeria, held on the Physique of Benchers in Abuja.
What the UTME waiver means for NCE candidates
Below the brand new coverage, candidates with at the least 4 credit score passes can apply for NCE programmes with out sitting for UTME.
This offers Faculties of Schooling a wider pool of candidates, particularly from close by communities the place value, distance, tradition, and demand for lecturers usually form faculty decisions; many younger individuals who might prepare as lecturers might now get a extra direct route into the system.
The Minister mentioned JAMB knowledge confirmed that Faculties of Schooling nonetheless have room to confess extra keen candidates.
That time formed the choice.
Agriculture ND candidates additionally get the identical reduction
The waiver additionally applies to candidates who need Nationwide Diploma admission in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related programs.
This implies such candidates will not want UTME for these particular ND programmes, so long as they fall inside the authorized class.
The coverage goals to attract extra individuals into instructor coaching and agriculture-related studying, two areas the federal government linked with nationwide progress and youth alternative.
JAMB registration nonetheless stays obligatory
The UTME waiver doesn’t take away JAMB from the admission course of.
Alausa mentioned all affected candidates should nonetheless register with JAMB, whereas their credentials will move by means of screening, checking, and certification earlier than admission letters may be issued by means of the Central Admissions Processing System, referred to as CAPS.
Meaning candidates can not skip official checks.
CAPS admission guidelines nonetheless apply
The Minister warned that any admission performed outdoors CAPS stays unlawful and won’t rely.
Faculties that run admissions outdoors the authorized framework might face sanctions, together with attainable suspension of working licences; this warning sends a transparent message that wider entry should nonetheless comply with the foundations.
Public belief, in response to the Minister, depends upon a clear and traceable admission course of.
Minimal admission age stays 16
Alausa additionally restated that 16 years stays the minimal age for admission into tertiary faculties.
He mentioned the choice adopted broad talks with related events, and the age rule nonetheless stands below the present admission coverage.
Faculties of Schooling get a much bigger function
The Minister mentioned Faculties of Schooling will help sort out the issue of out-of-school adolescents by utilizing their accessible admission area higher.
He additionally linked the coverage to early curiosity in educating, since extra younger individuals from native areas might now discover instructor schooling inside attain; for a lot of households, a close-by faculty could make the distinction between ready one other 12 months and beginning a profession path.
Pupil mortgage scheme kinds a part of wider reforms
Alausa additionally spoke about wider adjustments within the schooling sector.
He pointed to the nationwide pupil mortgage scheme below the Nigerian Schooling Mortgage Fund as a key step in decreasing cash boundaries for college kids, with interest-free loans masking tuition and fundamental maintenance.
The Minister mentioned the federal government needs higher entry, stronger high quality, firmer governance, and extra accountability throughout schooling.
Help for college kids with disabilities
The Minister praised JAMB for supporting Individuals Dwelling with Disabilities by means of charge waivers and different measures.
He urged faculties to construct studying areas the place each learner can examine with dignity and correct assist.
Laptop-based testing and digital abilities stay on the agenda
Alausa mentioned the federal government can be transferring forward with computer-based testing and stronger digital abilities in class curricula.
He added that new applied sciences will type a part of studying plans, so graduates can match higher into a contemporary economic system.
ASUU settlement and examination malpractice
The Minister described the 2025 Settlement between the Federal Authorities and the Tutorial Employees Union of Universities as a acquire for workers welfare, funding, and faculty improvement.
He mentioned the settlement ought to assist assist secure tutorial calendars.
Alausa additionally mentioned the federal government is tightening the combat towards examination malpractice by means of stronger verification techniques and nearer supervision.
Stakeholders requested to behave with shared accountability
The Minister mentioned the federal government now needs motion, clear timelines, measurable targets, and regular monitoring throughout its schooling reforms.
He urged stakeholders on the coverage assembly to deal with their choices with care, since these decisions will form entry and alternative for hundreds of thousands of younger Nigerians.
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