The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the end of admissions into university-affiliated degree programmes offered by colleges of education, a move that significantly changes Nigeria’s teacher education system. Beginning with the 2026/2027 academic session, the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) will become the only admission pathway into colleges of education.
The decision was outlined in JAMB’s newly released NCE/ND Agriculture Registration Guidelines issued by the Registrar’s Office in June 2026. According to the board, no new admissions will be allowed into affiliated degree programmes in colleges of education from the 2026/2027 academic year onward.
JAMB also stated that direct admission into 100-level and 200-level degree programmes in colleges of education will no longer be permitted. Instead, all new students must first enroll through the NCE programme.
This marks the end of a long-standing arrangement that allowed colleges of education to award university degrees through partnerships with traditional universities. The policy is expected to affect thousands of applicants who sought admission into affiliated degree programmes for the 2026 admission cycle.
To assist affected candidates, JAMB has provided several alternatives. Those who applied for affiliated degree programmes through Direct Entry may switch institutions free of charge, transfer to the parent university linked to the degree programme, or have their second-choice institution upgraded to first choice for admission consideration.
Similarly, UTME candidates who applied to affiliated colleges of education for degree programmes can choose to change institutions, make their second-choice institution their first choice, or move into the NCE programme.
Candidates who decide to pursue the NCE route must obtain an O-Level verification code from the appropriate examination body and pay a registration fee of N700 through the JAMB portal. JAMB noted that selecting a college of education indicates an interest in obtaining the NCE qualification, allowing candidates to be transferred accordingly.
The board further emphasized that applying for NCE admission is a deliberate choice. Any candidate who opts for NCE and is subsequently recommended for admission will have any ongoing UTME or Direct Entry admission process suspended.
For applicants who registered through the 2026 UTME, JAMB said their records would automatically be transferred to their selected first-choice college of education or eligible agriculture-related ND programmes.
In addition, all NCE applicants will now be required to undergo O-Level verification, with fees set at N1,500 for one sitting and N2,000 for two sittings.
JAMB has instructed colleges of education, professional registration centres, accredited CBT centres, and its officials nationwide to familiarize themselves with the new guidelines and ensure full compliance.
For many years, affiliated degree programmes enabled students in colleges of education to earn bachelor's degrees through university partnerships. However, the new policy brings that arrangement to an end for future admissions, strengthening the NCE's role as the primary qualification for teacher training in Nigeria.
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