The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a major policy change in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, discontinuing admissions into degree programmes run by Colleges of Education in affiliation with universities from the 2026/2027 academic session.
The new directive effectively reinforces the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) as the sole entry qualification for Colleges of Education, marking a significant shift in how teacher education institutions operate across the country.
The decision was contained in JAMB’s newly released NCE/ND Agric Registration Guidelines, issued by the Office of the Registrar in June 2026.
Affiliated Degree Programmes to End
According to the Board, all degree programmes previously offered in Colleges of Education through partnerships with universities will no longer accept new admissions starting from the 2026/2027 academic year.
JAMB stated clearly: “No admission into any affiliated programme in any College of Education from 2026/7 Session.”
This means that the long-standing arrangement allowing Colleges of Education to run bachelor’s degree programmes in collaboration with universities has been formally phased out for new intakes.
Education analysts note that the policy is likely to reshape the structure of teacher training in Nigeria, as many institutions had relied on the affiliation model to attract students seeking both NCE and degree qualifications.
No More Direct Entry into 100 and 200 Levels
In addition to stopping affiliated degree admissions, JAMB also abolished direct entry into 100 and 200 levels in all Colleges of Education.
From the 2026/2027 session, all prospective students must begin their studies at the NCE level before progressing academically.
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.”
Officials say the move is aimed at standardising teacher education and ensuring that candidates pass through a structured training pathway before qualifying as educators.
Impact on Affected Candidates
The policy is expected to significantly affect candidates who had already applied for affiliated degree programmes during the ongoing 2026 admission cycle.
To mitigate disruption, JAMB outlined several options for affected applicants. Candidates may:
Transfer to the parent university running the affiliated degree programme
Change their institution entirely at no additional cost
Convert their application to reflect their second-choice institution as first choice for processing
JAMB also set a deadline of June 22, 2026, for candidates wishing to make changes to their admission preferences.
Alternative Path Through NCE Programme
For UTME and Direct Entry candidates, the Board provided additional pathways, including the option to switch to the NCE programme of their chosen College of Education.
Candidates opting for this route will be required to complete O’Level verification through the appropriate examination bodies and pay a ₦700 processing fee via the JAMB portal.
JAMB explained that choosing the NCE pathway would be considered a deliberate academic decision, and once admitted into the programme, any ongoing UTME or Direct Entry admission process would automatically be suspended.
Automatic Migration and Verification Rules
The Board also disclosed that candidates who applied through the 2026 UTME into Colleges of Education or related Agric and National Diploma programmes would have their applications automatically migrated to their selected first-choice institutions.
In addition, a new compulsory O’Level verification system has been introduced for all NCE applicants. The verification fee is set at ₦1,500 for candidates with one sitting and ₦2,000 for those with two sittings.
Education authorities say the verification process is intended to improve data accuracy and reduce cases of admission fraud or certificate discrepancies.
Wider Policy Implications
Education stakeholders believe the decision represents a major restructuring of teacher education in Nigeria. For years, affiliated degree programmes allowed Colleges of Education to award bachelor’s degrees in collaboration with universities, offering students a hybrid academic route.
With the abolition of this model, Colleges of Education will now focus exclusively on producing NCE graduates, who may later proceed to universities for degree programmes under separate admission arrangements.
Analysts say the reform could improve standardisation in teacher training but may also create transitional challenges for students who had planned to pursue degree qualifications through Colleges of Education.
JAMB Calls for Compliance
JAMB has directed all relevant stakeholders, including Colleges of Education, Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, Institutional Professional Registration Centres (IPRCs) and its officials nationwide, to fully study and comply with the new guidelines.
The Board emphasised that strict adherence is necessary to ensure a smooth transition into the new admission framework.
“All PRCs, IPRCs and officers of the Board are to study the guidelines and ensure strict compliance with the information contained therein,” the Registrar stated.
