JAMB Starts Registration for NCE, Agricultural ND Applicants

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has initiated registration for candidates aiming for Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes in Colleges of Education and non-technological National Diploma programmes in agriculture-related fields. This registration, announced by spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, does not require candidates to take the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Eligible candidates must possess the necessary O’Level credits and can register at any Institutional Professional Registration Centre or JAMB Professional Registration Centre across Nigeria. This policy follows the Federal Government's decision to exempt these candidates from the UTME to enhance access to teacher education and agricultural programmes while maintaining academic standards.

Candidates who previously sat for the 2026 UTME but wish to pursue NCE or agricultural programmes can convert their applications at designated centres without extra costs. The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, confirmed that candidates with at least four relevant O’Level credits can apply without the UTME.

However, the Nigeria Union of Teachers has expressed concerns about potential negative impacts on the quality of teacher education.