In a landmark shift for Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, the Ministry of Education has announced that candidates seeking admission into Federal Colleges of Education will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
This policy change aims to streamline the admission process and encourage higher enrollment in teacher training institutions across the country.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, unveiled the new directive on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) held in Abuja.
Addressing stakeholders, the Minister emphasized that the removal of the UTME bottleneck is a strategic move to reposition the nation’s education system and address the specific needs of specialized vocational and academic sectors.
Beyond teacher education, the Minister revealed that this waiver is also extended to candidates pursuing programs in technology, agriculture, and other related vocational courses.
By lowering the entry barriers for these critical fields, the government hopes to stimulate interest in technical education and bridge the skill gaps currently affecting the nation’s industrial and agricultural sectors.
Despite the exemption from the standard entrance exam, Dr. Alausa clarified that academic standards would not be compromised.
Prospective students must still possess the requisite O’Level qualifications and are mandated to undergo a JAMB screening process.
This screening is designed to ensure proper documentation and maintain a centralized database of all students entering the nation’s tertiary institutions.
