FG Waives UTME for Candidates with Four Credits

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through Minister of Education Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced on Monday, March 2026, that candidates with a minimum of four credit passes in relevant subjects will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to gain admission into Colleges of Education. This new policy is part of an effort to expand access to teacher education and address ongoing challenges in the education sector.

Candidates must still register with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which will verify credentials through a central admission process. The policy will take effect in the next admission cycle.

Additionally, the minister emphasized that any admissions conducted outside the JAMB platform would not be recognized by the Federal Government, warning institutions against bypassing this system. The minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions remains 16 years, and the government is promoting inclusivity for persons living with disabilities by waiving application fees.