Nigerian Government Removes UTME for NCE Candidates

The Nigerian government has officially scrapped the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) requirement for candidates applying for National Certificate in Education (NCE) programs. This announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, on a Monday in Abuja.

The policy change is set to take effect in 2026 and is part of new admission guidelines established by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Under the new guidelines, candidates will need a minimum of four O-level credits in relevant subjects to qualify for entry into NCE programs.

The decision aims to alleviate the administrative workload associated with the admissions process, streamlining the pathway for prospective students seeking education qualifications in Nigeria.