The Federal Government has announced a major change in the admission process for candidates seeking entry into the Nigeria Certificate in Education programme, saying applicants with a minimum of four credit passes will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
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The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions, organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in Abuja.
Alausa said the new policy is part of ongoing reforms aimed at expanding access to tertiary education, especially in teacher education and agriculture-related programmes considered critical to national development.
According to him, candidates seeking admission into NCE programmes who possess at least four credit passes will be exempted from writing the UTME. However, they will still be required to register with JAMB.
He explained that their credentials would also be screened, verified and certified through the Central Admissions Processing System before admission letters are issued.
“In recognition of this reality, the Federal Ministry of Education, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, has taken a deliberate policy position. Accordingly, candidates seeking admission into the NCE programme, who possess a minimum of four credit passes, will no longer be required to sit for the UTME,” the minister said.
Alausa added that the exemption would also apply to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses.
He said the policy was designed to widen access to higher education, reduce pressure associated with UTME, and encourage more students to enrol in teacher education and agricultural programmes.
At the same meeting, the minister warned tertiary institutions against conducting admissions outside JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System, describing any such admission as illegal.
He said the integrity of the admission process is central to restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
“Let me reiterate, without equivocation, that admissions conducted outside this framework are illegal and will not be recognised,” Alausa said.
He warned that the era of parallel and unregulated admission processes must end, noting that institutions that bypass CAPS would face sanctions.
“The era in which institutions operated parallel admission systems, often to the detriment of deserving candidates, must come to an end,” he said.
The minister said he had resisted several attempts to condone illegality in the admission process and would not support any act that undermines approved procedures.
“I have resisted many attempts at condoning illegality in the admissions process. I will not be a party to such actions.
“Any institution found to have conducted admissions outside the CAPS will be held accountable, and appropriate sanctions shall be applied without hesitation,” he stated.
Alausa warned heads of public and private institutions that violations could attract serious consequences, including suspension of operating licences or other regulatory actions.
He, however, said the enforcement was not intended to be punitive but necessary to restore credibility, order and fairness in the system.
On admission age, Alausa announced that the Federal Government had retained 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions.
“Following extensive consultations and policy reviews, the government has maintained sixteen years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions,” he said.
He explained that the decision was taken to balance academic readiness with inclusivity, adding that exceptional cases would be handled under clearly defined and strictly enforced guidelines.
The minister also commended JAMB for improving access for persons with disabilities, including waivers of application fees, describing the initiative as a strong step toward equity and equal opportunity.
“This initiative is not only humane but also a powerful affirmation of our national commitment to equity and equal opportunity,” he said.
Alausa further highlighted ongoing reforms in the education sector, including the implementation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which he said was created to remove financial barriers to higher education.
“For decades, financial constraints have constituted a significant barrier for many capable young Nigerians,” he noted.
He described the interest-free loan scheme, covering tuition and upkeep, as a strategic investment in national development.
On transparency and accountability, the minister said tertiary institutions must publish key operational data, including enrolment figures and financial allocations.
“Public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education must operate with openness that reflects their public mandate,” he said.
Alausa also spoke on the government’s push for digitalisation in education, including the adoption of computer-based testing and the integration of emerging technologies into curricula.
He described the 2025 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities as a major turning point, saying it was aimed at improving welfare, funding and institutional stability.
“The 2025 Agreement represents a decisive breakthrough in resolving a dispute that had persisted for many years,” he said.
He added that the reforms were designed to guarantee uninterrupted academic calendars and restore confidence in public universities.
The minister also warned against examination malpractice, saying the government was introducing stricter verification systems to protect the credibility of certificates.
“The credibility of our certificates depends on the integrity of the processes through which they are earned,” he said.
Alausa urged stakeholders to focus on implementation rather than merely announcing policies, stressing that reforms would only make meaning when properly executed.
“For too long, our sector has been characterised by well-articulated policies that fail to translate into tangible outcomes,” he said.
He called on participants at the policy meeting to uphold integrity, fairness and efficiency in the admission process, noting that their decisions would affect millions of young Nigerians.
“The decisions we take here will have far-reaching implications for millions of young Nigerians,” he said.
The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to building a tertiary education system that is inclusive, merit-driven, credible and globally competitive.
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