The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially discontinued admissions into university degree programmes offered through affiliated Colleges of Education, ending a long-standing practice in Nigeria's tertiary education system. The decision takes effect from the 2026/2027 academic session, as outlined in the Board's newly released guidelines for admissions into the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and National Diploma Agricultural programmes.
Policy Change Details
Under the revised policy, Colleges of Education will no longer admit students directly into degree programmes conducted in partnership with universities. JAMB also directed that admissions into 100 and 200 levels within these institutions will cease. The Board stated, "With effect from 2026/7 Session, no admission into 100 or 200 Level is allowed into any College of Education. All entrants are through NCE." This move establishes the NCE as the sole entry route into Colleges of Education nationwide, affecting thousands of candidates who selected affiliated degree programmes during the current admission cycle.
Transition Options for Affected Candidates
To address the transition, JAMB outlined several options for candidates seeking admission through Direct Entry. Affected candidates may switch institutions without paying a transfer fee, move to the parent university overseeing the affiliated degree programme, or allow their second-choice institution to become their primary choice for admission consideration. The Board explained, "A candidate may choose to be moved to the parent university to which the Degree programme is affiliated." Candidates intending to make any of these changes were given until June 22 to complete the process.
Options for UTME Candidates
Applicants who sought admission into affiliated Colleges of Education through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination also have alternatives. They may transfer to another institution, promote their second-choice institution to first choice status, or enrol in the NCE programme. JAMB explained that candidates choosing the NCE pathway would need to obtain an O'Level verification code from the relevant examination body and pay a registration fee of N700 through its portal. The Board stated, "The candidate may be moved to the NCE programme of the institution, on the understanding that the choice of the College of Education indicates an interest in pursuing the NCE qualification." JAMB further clarified that acceptance into an NCE programme would automatically suspend any ongoing UTME or Direct Entry admission process. "Anyone who chooses NCE and s/he is proposed/recommended, would have any ongoing UTME/DE process suspended," the Board said.
New Verification Requirements
As part of the revised admission framework, JAMB has made O'Level verification compulsory for all NCE applicants. The verification costs N1,500 for candidates presenting one sitting result and N2,000 for those using two sittings. The Board directed Colleges of Education, Institutional Professional Registration Centres, accredited Computer-Based Test centres, and its personnel to familiarise themselves with the guidelines and ensure full compliance. The Registrar stated, "All PRCs, IPRCs and Officers of the Board are to study the guidelines and ensure strict compliance with the information contained therein."
Broader Context
This policy change follows a similar directive from the National Universities Commission (NUC) that discontinued Higher National Diploma (HND) conversion and top-up degree programmes. Universities across Nigeria, including Kwara State University, Malete and Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, have begun notifying students about the suspension of these programmes. The JAMB decision aligns with efforts to streamline tertiary education pathways and reinforce the NCE as the primary qualification from Colleges of Education.
