The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has commenced registration for candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes and non-technological National Diploma (ND) courses in agriculture-related fields. 

In a statement issued on Thursday, July 23, 2026, JAMB spokesperson Dr Fabian Benjamin confirmed that applicants under this category are officially exempt from writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The registration exercise implements a policy approved by the Federal Government during the 2026 tertiary admission policy meeting in May. 

Under the new framework announced by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, candidates holding a minimum of four O’Level credit passes in relevant subjects can apply for NCE and non-engineering agricultural diploma courses without taking the UTME. 

Applicants can register at any Institutional Professional Registration Centre (IPRC) located within colleges of education or at accredited JAMB Professional Registration Centres (PRCs) nationwide.

Candidate credentials will undergo mandatory verification and screening before admission letters are issued through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). 

Furthermore, candidates who wrote the 2026 UTME but wish to switch to an NCE or non-technological agricultural diploma can convert their applications at designated registration centres at no extra cost. 

While the Federal Government expects the policy to address lower enrolment numbers in teacher education and agriculture, stakeholders such as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) have raised concerns, warning that poor execution could compromise professionalism in teacher training.

Source: Punch News
Image Credit: Channels TV