JAMB Scraps UTME Requirement for Education and Agriculture Candidates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that candidates seeking admission into Education programmes and non-engineering Agriculture-related courses in Colleges of Education and Polytechnics will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board disclosed this in a post on its official X handle during its 2026 policy meeting on admissions held in Abuja.
“Candidates seeking admissions into Education Programmes and Agriculture non-Engineering Courses are now exempted from UTME,” JAMB stated.
Speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said candidates applying for National Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes with a minimum of four credit passes will also not be required to sit for the UTME.
He explained, however, that all applicants must still register with JAMB, with their credentials subjected to screening, verification and processing through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) before admission is granted.
Alausa added that the exemption also applies to National Diploma programmes in non-technology agriculture and related fields, describing the policy as part of efforts to widen access to tertiary education while maintaining academic standards.
According to him, the reform is expected to reduce pressure associated with UTME and encourage greater participation in teacher education and agricultural studies, which are vital to national development.
“This approach strikes a balance between widening access and preserving the integrity of our admission system,” he said.
The decision represents a significant change in Nigeria’s tertiary education admission process, where UTME has traditionally served as the main entry examination for higher institutions.
Parents and prospective students are advised to take note of this development when making future educational decisions, especially as it may influence subject choices, programme selection, and admission pathways in coming years.
