FG Waives UTME for NCE and Some Agriculture ND Admissions

The Federal Government has removed UTME as a requirement for some candidates who want admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education programmes and selected National Diploma courses in agriculture.

The new UTME waiver covers NCE applicants and candidates going for National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related fields.

Education Minister Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa announced the policy on Monday at the opening of the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Schools in Nigeria, held at the Body of Benchers in Abuja.

What the UTME waiver means for NCE applicants

Under the new policy, candidates with at least four credit passes can apply for NCE programmes without sitting for UTME.

This gives Colleges of Education a wider pool of applicants, especially from nearby communities where cost, distance, culture, and demand for teachers often shape school choices; many young people who could train as teachers may now get a more direct route into the system.

The Minister said JAMB data showed that Colleges of Education still have room to admit more willing candidates.

That point shaped the decision.

Agriculture ND applicants also get the same relief

The waiver also applies to candidates who want National Diploma admission in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses.

This means such applicants will no longer need UTME for those specific ND programmes, as long as they fall within the approved category.

The policy aims to draw more people into teacher training and agriculture-related learning, two areas the government linked with national growth and youth opportunity.

JAMB registration still remains compulsory

The UTME waiver does not remove JAMB from the admission process.

Alausa said all affected candidates must still register with JAMB, while their credentials will pass through screening, checking, and certification before admission letters can be issued through the Central Admissions Processing System, known as CAPS.

That means candidates cannot skip official checks.

CAPS admission rules still apply

The Minister warned that any admission done outside CAPS remains illegal and will not count.

Schools that run admissions outside the approved framework may face sanctions, including possible suspension of operating licences; this warning sends a clear message that wider access must still follow the rules.

Public trust, according to the Minister, depends on a clean and traceable admission process.

Minimum admission age remains 16

Alausa also restated that 16 years remains the minimum age for admission into tertiary schools.

He said the decision followed broad talks with relevant parties, and the age rule still stands under the current admission policy.

Colleges of Education get a bigger role

The Minister said Colleges of Education can help tackle the problem of out-of-school adolescents by using their available admission space better.

He also linked the policy to early interest in teaching, since more young people from local areas may now find teacher education within reach; for many families, a nearby college can make the difference between waiting another year and starting a career path.

Student loan scheme forms part of wider reforms

Alausa also spoke about wider changes in the education sector.

He pointed to the national student loan scheme under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as a key step in reducing money barriers for students, with interest-free loans covering tuition and basic upkeep.

The Minister said the government wants better access, stronger quality, firmer governance, and more accountability across education.

Support for students with disabilities

The Minister praised JAMB for supporting Persons Living with Disabilities through fee waivers and other measures.

He urged schools to build learning spaces where every learner can study with dignity and proper support.

Computer-based testing and digital skills remain on the agenda

Alausa said the government is also moving ahead with computer-based testing and stronger digital skills in school curricula.

He added that new technologies will form part of learning plans, so graduates can fit better into a modern economy.

ASUU agreement and exam malpractice

The Minister described the 2025 Agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities as a gain for staff welfare, funding, and school development.

He said the agreement should help support stable academic calendars.

Alausa also said the government is tightening the fight against examination malpractice through stronger verification systems and closer supervision.

Stakeholders asked to act with shared responsibility

The Minister said the government now wants action, clear timelines, measurable targets, and steady monitoring across its education reforms.

He urged stakeholders at the policy meeting to treat their decisions with care, since those choices will shape access and opportunity for millions of young Nigerians.